Audio Japan | Learning Japan with you

Thank you for listening to Audio Japan. I've just launched a new podcast: "Mangekyo | Japan through history." ▼ About Mangekyo Mangekyo explores Japan's famous places through the lens of history, and shares the stories most people never hear. Every episode comes in two versions, English and Japanese. The Kyoto series is out now. From now on, my stories about Japanese travel and history will be on Mangekyo. Please follow the show and give it a listen! ▼ Listen to Mangekyo Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6oRYMHZASAVv7RCtbi6c5S Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%E4%B8%87%E8%8F%AF%E9%8F%A1-mangekyo-japan-through-history/id6819145248 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mangekyo-jth ▼ Host Taiki Arai | An English coach based in Fukui, Japan, currently studying to become a licensed tour guide.

■Summary ・The pen I always use ・The overview of the three companies, Mitsubishi Pencil, Pilot, and KOKUYO ・The difference between the three companies ■Comment https://forms.gle/MgCVudnQUoy4hFAr8 #stationery

■Summary ・World Cup 2026 overview ・Moriyasu Regime for eight years ・Why is the Japan national team so strong? ■Comment https://forms.gle/MgCVudnQUoy4hFAr8 #podcast #soccer #worldcup

■Summary The number of runners who can complete a full marathon is about 350,000, increasing by 9,500 from the previous year. Especially, the under 29 runner reaches 60,373, which is an increase over 10,000 runners. The average time is 4:35:41 on men, 5:08:20 on women respectively. From the perspective of achieving a Sub 3.0 time,this corresponds to the top 8.4% for men and the top 1.7% for women. ■About me Taiki Arai English Coach, Podcaster. https://open.spotify.com/show/3io6LaRRXFtKdWTmv8gtIO #英語学習 #sport #runner #running #marathon

Today's Key words. ・House of Councillors The upper house of Japan’s National Diet, similar to the Senate in some countries. ・ruling coalition A group of political parties that together hold power and form the government. ・numerical Related to numbers or expressed in terms of quantity rather than quality. ・be fueled (by) To be driven, powered, or strongly supported by something. ・grant To officially give someone a right, power, or permission. ・filter bubbles An online situation where algorithms only show users information that matches their existing opinions, limiting exposure to diverse views.

I will upload articles two to three once a week. ▼Vocabulary and Phrases ・took Japan by storm ・cross the ... mark ・structure ・mighty ・despise ▼note https://note.com/bignoblemen/n/n39695d5d83ab

■ What This Episode Is About It’s been almost a year since my last episode. Even while focusing on my main job, this podcast was always in the back of my mind. I’ve realized that even when I’m busy, it’s worth making time for what truly matters. Here are 3 reasons why I’m restarting this podcast: ① To share in both Japanese and English I want people around the world to listen. I also want to improve my own English skills. There’s a good chance I’ll be guiding foreign visitors in Japan a year from now! ② To explore my intellectual curiosity Curiosity is one of my core values. When I think deeply and take action with my own hands, it helps me remember things more clearly. And I love sharing what I learn with others. ③ To build more connections I believe that new encounters can lead to unexpected opportunities. I want to connect with people based on shared interests and curiosity. ■ Share Your Thoughts or Get in Touch https://forms.gle/f3CwW64FesBkjz7Z6

■The flow of discussion February 13th is "Surname Establishment Memorial Day." Chairman Tokura of Keidanren mentioned, "Introducing the selective separate surnames system should be a top priority." What is the selective separate surnames system? Why aren't common-law marriage or aliases enough? Why has the issue been shelved? How is a law amended? Drafting the bill Review of the draft Cabinet approval Submission to and approval by the Diet Proclamation and enforcement From April 1, 2022, the legal age of adulthood was lowered. From April 1, 2024, the prohibition period of 100 days for women to remarry after divorce will be abolished. ■References: "Separate surnames 'a top priority,'" says Keidanren Chairman Tokura, in favor of introduction. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA13CSK0T10C24A2000000/ "How are laws amended? Explaining the process and timeline for law amendments." https://www.docusign.com/ja-jp/blog/how-laws-to-be-amended "Civil Code Amendment: Lowering the Age of Adulthood."…

Flow of Discussion Ando Momofuku, the inventor of instant ramen, lost his parents in childhood and was raised by his grandparents. In his early 20s, he succeeded in the textiles (meriyasu) business. He also succeeded in various other businesses such as manufacturing slide projectors, charcoal, and barracks housing. However, he was suspected of tax evasion by the GHQ and became bankrupt when the bank he chaired failed. Reminded of post-war scenes of people queuing for a bowl of ramen in Osaka, he was inspired by the Japanese love for noodles. He thought, "Without food, there can be no clothing, housing, art, or culture," and decided to start a business in his pre-50s. After a year of early mornings to late nights in his shed, struggling with the balance between preservation and convenience of instant ramen, he witnessed his wife frying tempura. This observation led to the idea of flash-frying noodles, solving the preservation issue while ensuring convenience with the addition of hot water. This method is…

■Flow of the Discussion Ride-sharing will be partially legalized this spring. There are mainly two types of ride-sharing: TNC-type and PHV-type. TNC-type involves a platform managing drivers, with examples of platforms being Uber, Lyft, and Grab. PHV-type is managed by the country, with drivers being regulated directly. In some countries, ride-sharing was introduced in the early 2010s. In Japan, taxi companies will manage ride-sharing drivers. Ride-sharing has been considered equivalent to unlicensed taxis. However, there are increasing instances of "taxi refugees," with people waiting over an hour to catch a taxi. Many taxi drivers are in their 70s. Partial legalization is planned for April, with full legalization expected by June. Factors preventing Uber's entry into Japan include differing values; Japan progresses with reforms while adhering to rules, whereas Silicon Valley sometimes breaks the rules. There was no demand for ride-sharing in Japan at the time. Plus, the principles of Impact, Risk,…

■Flow of the Conversation: - Randoseru (Japanese school backpack) imported from the Netherlands / Originally like a "Furoshiki" cloth bag / Prototype of the modern box-shaped randoseru created when Emperor Taisho entered Gakushuin University, donated by Hirobumi Ito / Nationwide spread around 1955 / The number of pages in textbooks for randoseru has also increased / About double for elementary school students / About 1.5 times for junior high students / Modern elementary school randoseru are colorful / In 2001, Aeon introduced 24 colors / Popular colors for boys are black, navy, and blue / For girls, purple, pink, and light blue are popular / The purchase price of randoseru is rising annually / Increase in education expenses per child / Often purchased by grandparents, not parents / Seiban expanding randoseru overseas / Initially for overseas children / Actually sold for adults in Germany / Randoseru features: "durable and hard to break," "resistant to rain," "available in a variety of colors" ■【Seiban…

■Flow of the Conversation MBTI / Once popular among teens and twenties on social media / Today's topic is BIG FIVE / BIG FIVE determines personality based on the strength of five factors / Openness / Conscientiousness / Extraversion / Agreeableness / Neuroticism / High Openness in Kyushu, low in Hokuriku and Tohoku regions / Low Conscientiousness in Tohoku region / High Extraversion in metropolitan areas and Okinawa, low in Chugoku region / High Agreeableness in Kyushu and Okinawa / High Neuroticism in Tohoku and Chugoku regions, low in Okinawa / Differences between MBTI and BIG FIVE / MBTI is typological / For example, "You're a wizard" / BIG FIVE is trait-based / For example, "You're a wizard with HP40, MP120" ■Article: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jenvpsy/9/1/9_19/_pdf/-char/ja ■BIG FIVE Free Diagnosis Test: https://big5-basic.com/front/index.php?route=logic/diagnosis ■Feedback and Survey Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■Flow of the Conversation: History of convenience stores / Originated in America / Initially an ice specialty store “Southland Ice Company” / Operated from 7 AM to 11 PM / Later became Seven-Eleven / Expansion to Japan during the high economic growth period of the 1960s / Seven-Eleven in 1974 / FamilyMart in 1973 / Lawson in 1975 / Birth of Ministop, Daily Yamazaki, NewDays, etc. / On the other hand, Circle K Sunkus, Save On, Coco Store, etc. merged with FamilyMart and Lawson / Seven-Eleven with "Dominant Strategy" and "System Construction" / FamilyMart with "FamiPay," "FamiMaru," "Digital Signage" / Lawson with various store formats like "Lawson Store 100," "Natural Lawson," "Seijo Ishii" / Mr. Sakuma also talks about convenience stores. ■Episode where Mr. Sakuma spoke: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6PtVXgNup2hIz4794NGgre?si=6I5w2zmFSK2cJn8c_VqiVA ■Survey Form https://forms.gle/8oxJusnfnZavbXQN7

■Story. The thick-soled shoe controversy / When did they become popular in Japan / Boston Marathon in 2017 / Suguru Osako finished 3rd / Wearing NIKE thick-soled shoes / The following year Toyo University also started wearing them and achieved good results / Gradually changing from asics and mizuno to NIKE / In 2021, NIKE will have 95% share in Hakone Ekiden NIKE's share will fall below 50% in 2024 / asics and adidas will recover / asics will launch two types of thick-soled shoes in 2021 / Shoe manufacturers are training athletes nowadays / PUMA, NIKE and adidas will invite athletes / What will be the share rate after next year / Uniforms will also have Logos on uniforms / mizuno will be the largest manufacturer in 2024 / may be replaced by a foreign manufacturer in a few years / sponsor's logo on the right chest / the ban will be lifted in 2021 / "Kinuta Dental" will be a hot topic in Hakone in 2024 / has a store in Hachioji, Tokyo / about 250 ads in total / Dr. Kinuta, the director, was featured in…

■ Storyline. Coming-of-age ceremonies / YouTube LIVE in Sabae City / Inspired by Mayor Ishimaru of Aki Takata City / Budget allocation by the government / What is being discussed in the HAKONE EKIDEN / ① Kanto Gakuren Selection (Kanto Student Union Team) / The 100th event was discontinued / The 79th event started / Official rankings were also added for the 83rd to 89th events / The 84th event was ranked 4th / The coach at that time was Susumu Hara / Open participation from the 91st event onwards / Kanto Intercollegiate points were introduced in the process / Takushoku University failed to qualify three times because of this / The team suffered a bitter blow / The Kanto Intercollegiate quota was introduced at the same time as the abolition of Kanto Intercollegiate points / Nihon University was a special participant in the 95th event / The organisation system was in a rigid state. / The 100th edition was actually a national event / 11 non-Kanto universities participated in the qualifying round / Kyoto Sangyo…

■Summary ・Greedings ・The outline and history about Hakone Ekiden ・Hakone Ekiden review ・A few words on Aoyama Gakuin's run from the 1st to 10th sections ・Mr.Hara ■Survey Form https://forms.gle/8oxJusnfnZavbXQN7 ■note https://note.com/bignoblemen/n/n1f64b817ee87