Learn Japanese from the News S01E04 · Researchers Develop Plastic That Decomposes After Use

Overview

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.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Age of Legal Adulthood to Be Lowered to 18 in April2022-03-14 · 10mThis 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 com
2. 2 2. People in Japan Donate 4 Billion Yen to Ukraine through Embassy2022-04-04 · 10mFollow 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
3. 3 3. Sightseeing Route Reopens in Owakudani Hakone2022-04-18 · 10mFollow 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 spect
4. 4 4. Researchers Develop Plastic That Decomposes After Use2022-05-02 · 10mPlastic 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 research
5. 5 5. International Organization Formed to Fight Manga, Anime Piracy Sites2022-05-16 · 10mInternet 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
6. 6 6. Frequent “Anomalous” Rainfall in Japan Caused by Rising Temperatures2022-05-30 · 10mAn American scientific agency used AI to study Japanese precipitation data and found that the rising frequency of abnormal rainfall in Japan is mainly due to human-induced climate
7. 7 7. Bystanders Use AED to Save Girl Who Suddenly Collapsed at Gym2022-06-13 · 10mFollow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a group of bystanders who used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to revive a young girl that suddenly
8. 8 8. Japan Tops Ranking of Tourism Destinations for First Time2022-06-27 · 10mFollow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about how Japan has taken the top spot in a ranking of global travel destinations published every 2 years by the Wo
9. 9 9. More Convenience Stores Offering Prescription Medication Pickup Service2022-07-11 · 10mFollow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about a new service that allows consumers to pick up prescription drugs at convenience stores. In response to the C
10. 10 10. How to Prevent Heatstroke and Save Electricity on Air Conditioning2022-07-25 · 10mJapan is experiencing record-breaking heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in June for the first time in the country's recorded history. Follow along as we listen t
11. 11 11. “Don't Drink and Drive” Applies to Electric Scooters2022-08-08 · 10mAs the popularity of e-scooters grows, so are incidents of riding under the influence of alcohol. Follow along as we listen to a news story in simplified Japanese about police and
12. 12 12. Japan Aims to Restore International Student Numbers to Pre-Pandemic Level2022-09-05 · 10mSince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of international students in Japan has been on the decline. Join us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about how th
13. 13 13. New Services Bring Overgrown Produce to Market2022-09-19 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about food vendors that have begun selling overgrown and misshapen vegetables that do not conform to market standards. Their
14. 14 14. Earthquake Drill for International Residents Conducted in Plain Japanese2022-10-03 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story about a disaster drill where fire and police officials in Tokyo's Nakano Ward taught around 150 international residents about earthquake safety in p
15. 15 15. Number of People Aged 100 and Over in Japan Tops 90,000 for First Time2022-10-17 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about centenarians in Japan. This year the number of people aged 100 and over exceeded 90,000 for the first time, marking a r
16. 16 16. Japan Compiles Measures for Potential Dual Outbreak of COVID and Flu2022-10-31 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about measures the health ministry has compiled to prevent fever clinics from being overwhelmed this winter amid growing conc
17. 17 17. Studies Underway to Reduce Salt While Maintaining Flavor2022-11-14 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about new products being developed that can help people reduce their salt intake without compromising on flavor. The average
18. 18 18. New Year's Greeting Cards Go on Sale in Japan2022-11-28 · 10mIn Japan it is customary to send out New Year's postcards known as "nengajoo." Join us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about the greeting cards for the coming New Ye
19. 19 19. Using Cameras to Detect Human Presence and Eliminate Accidents at Railway Crossings2022-12-12 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about a new security system being introduced by a Japanese railway operator that uses AI and 3D camera imaging to detect huma
20. 20 20. International Residents in Kagawa Experience the “Henro” Pilgrimage2022-12-26 · 10mJoin us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about the Shikoku Pilgrimage, known as the "Henro" in Japanese. In November, international residents and others in Kagawa Pre