- Created By
- First Aired on
Mar 14, 2022
- Popularity: 5.4959
- 0 votes
- Networks
- (JP)
- Production
NHK (JP)NHK Educational (JP)
- Status: Ended
Show Ended
4 seaons till Mar 17, 2025
Last episode: Railway Introduces Facial Recognition Boarding System
Seasons & episodes
Total 4 seasons, 67 episodes

Season 1
Aired
Episode 1Age of Legal Adulthood to Be Lowered to 18 in April10 min
This April, Japan's age of majority will be lowered from 20 to 18. Follow along as we listen to this news story in Japanese, study the word "otona" (adult), and learn about the coming-of-age ceremony.
Episode 2People in Japan Donate 4 Billion Yen to Ukraine through Embassy10 min
Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about people in Japan donating 4 billion yen (as of March 7) to Ukraine through its embassy in Tokyo. Our resident Japanese teacher explains the word "kifu" (donation) and breaks down how to count large numbers such as "man" (10,000) and "oku" (100 million). We also spotlight growing private-sector efforts to provide support to Ukraine, as well as middle school students folding "orizuru" paper cranes, a symbol of peace.
Episode 3Sightseeing Route Reopens in Owakudani Hakone10 min
Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about the reopening of a popular nature trail in the Owakudani area of Hakone, a mountainous resort town with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. Owakudani is a volcanic valley known for its hot springs and close-up views of Mt. Hakone's billowing steam vents. The nature trail in question had been closed to tourists since 2015 due to increased volcanic activity.
Episode 4Researchers Develop Plastic That Decomposes After Use10 min
Plastic pollution in the ocean has become a global environmental concern. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a new plastic developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo that is embedded with enzymes that cause it to naturally break down in water. We also consider the katakana loanword "purasuchikku" (plastic) and learn some related katakana words that are commonly used in everyday life.
Episode 5International Organization Formed to Fight Manga, Anime Piracy Sites10 min
Internet piracy has become a major global issue. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about copyright-protection groups and government agencies from 13 nations coming together to create an international organization to fight manga and anime piracy on the internet. We study words like "kaizokuban" (pirated version) and "chosakuken" (copyright) and consider copyright infringement pitfalls in the digital age.