National Feb 21, 2019
The move comes as the country struggles with a labor crunch in the face of an aging population and falling birthrate.
NEWSWORTHY
Language Feb 18, 2019
Money talks: Can you understand what it's saying?
by Kaori Shoji
Digital currencies and smartphone apps are changing the way we do business with the yen, but some monetary habits die hard.
Language | WELL SAID Feb 18, 2019
Understanding 'choshi' is a condition you should strive for
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
It's hard to translate the word "choshi" into English directly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't bother with it. Whether it's the condition of your body or your computer, choshi is rather useful.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Feb 18, 2019
Japan bolsters steps to aid non-Japanese in event of a quake
This Japanese news article introduces vocabulary that has to do with disaster preparedness, a topic we should all know a little more about.
National Feb 8, 2019
Two positive kanji, easy to write and read: Japan to follow precedent in selecting new era name
The government confirmed Friday that it will follow the procedures taken to pick the current era name of Heisei in choosing a name for the new era. The decision was made at the first meeting held by a committee headed by Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide ...
Language | BILINGUAL Feb 4, 2019
Wake up and smell Japan through new vocabulary
by Peter Backhaus
The world is full of smells. Good smells and bad smells, pleasant and unpleasant smells, fragrant and pungent smells. Though the nose is not our most reliable advisor in perception — eyesight is far more important, as is well known — smells clearly have ...
Language | WELL SAID Feb 4, 2019
After learning how to use 'irai' properly, you'll be able to look back with confidence
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
The word "irai" translates as "since," and it can be tacked on to both nouns and verbs.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Feb 4, 2019
A Japanese news article sums up the issue of Naomi Osaka's anime avatar and its controversial color.
Entertainment News Jan 31, 2019
Vegan Ariana Grande lightly roasted over tattoo's accidental homage to Japanese barbecue grill
Too bad pop star Ariana Grande is vegan — she just tattooed an accidental homage to a Japanese barbecue grill on her palm. The American singer's attempt to ink an ode to her hit single "7 Rings" backfired Wednesday, after social media quickly chimed in ...
Language Jan 28, 2019
by Tom Hanaway
According to a recent survey, around 1 in 11 Japanese say they identify as LGBT. Therefore, knowing the language of this diverse community can help greatly with understanding.
Language | WELL SAID Jan 28, 2019
The '-ppanashi' structure is so useful that you'll want to keep using it over and over and over
by Akemi Tanahashi and Hitomi Tashiro
Often used in casual conversation, "-ppanashi" is added to a verb to indicate something that is done for an extended period of time. It can also have the nuance that something has been left in an improper state.
Language | NEWS IN NIHONGO Jan 28, 2019
A Dentsu survey finds that people are more aware of the LGBT acronym, giving learners of Japanese the opportunity to discover a world of new vocabulary.