A daily Japanese news podcast for learners. Each episode covers a real news story with vocabulary breakdowns, grammar notes, and practice quizzes. Hosted by Maya.
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Ten years ago this week, the anime movie Your Name opened in theaters across Japan. Now the director and fans are celebrating its birthday. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Yayoi Kusama, the artist loved around the world for her polka dots and pumpkin sculptures, has died at the age of ninety-seven. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
At a big safari park in western Japan, a baby elephant has been born — the first one there in thirty-five years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Automaker Suzuki has unveiled its first kei-car electric vehicle, the e SKY, set to go on sale this autumn. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
At a zoo in western Japan, twin baby jaguars have just met the public for the first time. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Seven years after a fire destroyed it, the main hall of Okinawa's Shuri Castle has been rebuilt — and its reopening date is now set. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
At a zoo in Nagoya, a very unusual baby animal was born — a little armadillo. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Four historic Japanese waterways — from an Edo-era canal to the moat of an ancient tomb — have just been named World Heritage Irrigation Structures. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
At an aquarium in northern Japan, a polar bear got a very big and very special summer present. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Japan's Olympic champion figure-skating pair shared some happy personal news today — an engagement, sealed with a proposal on the ice. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
Japan is getting ready for an exciting trip into space — a new probe will fly all the way to a moon of Mars, and bring something back. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Japan's summer high school baseball tournament crowned its champion today, with a dramatic comeback in the final at Koshien Stadium. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
In Japan, autumn is the season of a famous grilled fish — the Pacific saury. But this year, that fish is becoming rare and expensive. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Japan's consumer prices rose one point eight percent in July, and inflation is picking up speed again. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
From a famous zoo in Hokkaido, in northern Japan, comes some happy news about a very rare baby animal. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
The average price of a new condominium in the greater Tokyo area has hit a record high. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
Japan's long-term interest rate has climbed to its highest level in about thirty years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
In Tokyo, high school students from all over Japan gave speeches — not with their voices, but with their hands, in sign language. And Princess Kako came to cheer them on. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Japan's latest economic growth numbers are out — still positive, but weaker than expected. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
In Tokushima, one of Japan's biggest and oldest summer dance festivals has just ended, after five days of music and dancing. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Volcanic activity is rising at Mount Aso in Kumamoto, and the eruption alert level has been raised to three. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
Last night, giant fires glowed on the mountains of Kyoto — a summer tradition with a beautiful meaning. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Tokyo's Ueno Zoo is saying goodbye to its old panda house — demolition starts tomorrow. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
In eastern Hokkaido, a tiny salamander is getting some big help from the government. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
Eighty-one years ago today, the Second World War ended for Japan. This evening's story is about the national memorial ceremony held in Tokyo for those who died in the war. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
