Hanaseru: Learn Advanced Japanese and News in Japan

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the topic of "Starting Up in the City from Vacant Stores" in Japan. Learn about utilizing vacant stores and redevelopment areas for new businesses, shedding light on urban development and entrepreneurship. Discover how Kobe City's initiative, "シタマチスタートアップ," is revitalizing the community and attracting newcomers, fostering...

Explore the evolution of sushi ingredients in this episode. Discover how advancements in refrigeration technology transformed the sushi industry, making it possible to enjoy fresh fish like never before. Uncover cultural insights into the historical challenges of preserving delicate fish like tuna and the impact of technology on culinary traditions. Learn how the concepts of "新鮮" (fres...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the innovative business model of "O-tetsutabi," a term blending "helping out" and "traveling." Discover how this concept fosters connections with local communities and contributes to regional revitalization in Japan. Explore how travelers can immerse themselves in local culture while supporting businesses, creat...

Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the topic of "Are Tablets Lacking Dignity in the Japanese Parliament?" Dive into cultural insights with phrases like "品位がない" (lacking dignity) and "先例主義" (precedent-oriented). Explore the educational value of understanding formal standards and the resistance to change in a precedent-oriented society. Stay tuned for insights...

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the secrets behind Japan's popular exhibition, "Why did 900,000 people come? The unstoppable "I get it!" phenomenon." Discover the cultural insights of "共感を呼ぶ" (invoking empathy) and "光を当てる" (shining a light). Learn how these phrases resonate with audiences, drawing 90,000+ visitors by highlighting relat...

Explore the world of Japanese emergency preparedness and national oil reserves in this episode. Discover the significance of "fusoku no jitai" (unforeseen circumstances) and "bichiku" (emergency supplies) in Japanese culture. Gain insights into Japan's strategic planning for potential disruptions in oil supply, highlighting the importance of stability in energy provision. E...

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the intriguing world of Japanese driver's licenses on this episode. Discover what police officers look for on a license, including the significance behind the "12-digit number". Learn key phrases like "一目でわかる" (understand at a glance) and "ご存じでしょうか" (did you know?), offering cultural insights and educational v...

Join Sakura and Peter in a fascinating discussion on a unique security guard who dances and wears a red costume. Discover the cultural insights behind this trend and learn how phrases like "警備員" and "身にまとう" are used in different contexts. Explore the educational value of incorporating fun elements into everyday tasks while improving your Japanese language skills. Tune i...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the fascinating topic of the "爆売れ" phenomenon in Japan, exploring the unexpected success of a blank book called "マイブック." Discover the cultural insights behind this trend and learn about the concept of "e-nikki," an illustrated diary capturing daily experiences. Uncover the educational value of these tren...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the topic of crop damage caused by wild animals in Japan. Discover how the innovative use of retort technology in canned game meat, or "jibie," is offering a potential solution to this issue. Explore the cultural significance of "nōsakumotsu higai" (crop damage) and the convenience of "retort" food preservation...

Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the early cherry blossom forecast in northern Japan. Explore the cultural significance of 桜前線 (sakura front) and 開花予想 (cherry blossom forecasting). Learn how weather conditions influence the timing of cherry blossoms and discover when to expect the bloom in different regions. A fascinating glimpse into Japanese traditions and nature's beauty. Tune in...

Join Sakura and Peter as they explore the "Top 10 Food News of 2025" in Japan. Discover insights into "stockpiled rice," "coming together," and "rising prices." Learn about the cultural significance of emergency rice reserves, community gatherings, and economic trends. Dive into the ongoing "Reiwa rice turmoil" and the global culinary showcase at t...

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the topic of this year's annual buzzword award in Japan. Discover the controversy surrounding the phrase "働いて×5" used by the first female Prime Minister and its connection to the concept of "work style reform". Explore the cultural insights and divided opinions encapsulated by the term "賛否両論" in this enlightening Jap...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the impact of beech trees and global warming on bear behavior in Japan. Discover insights into "food shortage" (エサ不足) and "bear damage" (クマ被害), prevalent in wildlife discussions. Explore the unique survival strategy of beech trees called "masting" and its disruption due to rising temperatures, leading to...

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the heightened precautions in Shibuya and Shinjuku for Halloween, focusing on the prohibition of street drinking for foreigners. Learn about the key phrases "meiwaku koui" (nuisance behavior) and "rojou inshu kinshi" (street drinking prohibition) in this educational episode. Explore how Tokyo wards are reinforcing information to prevent...

Join Sakura and Peter in discussing the milestone of Japan's first female prime minister. Explore the cultural insights of the "glass cliff" and "I don't have a place [where I belong]" phrases. Gain valuable perspectives on gender equality challenges in Japan's political landscape. Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2c0b2c48c52696136d07974d43065b18de9b3bfe

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into the controversial topic of "Optional Separate Surnames for Married Couples" in Japan. Explore cultural insights like the significance of "Iken Kobo" (public opinion gathering) and "Tojisha no Koe" (the voice of the parties involved). Gain valuable insights on societal norms and individual rights. Tune in to learn about the over...

In this episode, Sakura and Peter explore how Generation Z perceives surprises as potential failures. They delve into the cultural insights of "リアクションに困る" (troubling to react) and "失敗するのが怖い" (scared of failing). Discover why Z世代 tends to avoid surprises and how this impacts their choices and reactions. Gain valuable language skills and cultural understanding...

In this episode, Sakura and Peter delve into the intriguing world of "故人AIサービス" (deceased person AI service) and "肖像権" (portrait rights). They explore the ethical implications of using AI to recreate and interact with deceased individuals, shedding light on the evolving field of "Death Tech". Discover how technology is reshaping our perceptions of life, death...

Join Sakura and Peter in discussing "The Overly Complex Cashless Payments in Japan" on today's episode. Explore the complexities and challenges of cashless transactions in Japan, including high fees and the impact on small businesses. Gain insights into the cultural nuances and benefits of transitioning to cashless payments. Perfect for learners interested in Japanese language and cu...

Join Sakura and Peter as they delve into Japan's plans to finalize an AI policy, emphasizing teamwork with the phrase "Ichigan to natte" and policy drafts with "Kosshi." Discover how these cultural insights shape collaborative efforts and policy-making, offering valuable language and cultural lessons for Japanese learners. Tune in for a dynamic discussion on unity and strategic planning in Japan's...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they delve into the unique committee activities in Japanese schools. Discover the cultural insights behind "Kakari Katsudo" and "Toban", where students take on roles like "comedy committee" and "card game committee" to foster creativity and responsibility. Explore how these activities not only teach valuable skills bu...

Join Sakura and Peter in this episode as they explore the shift from categorizing by generations to focusing on 「界隈」or communities in Japan. Discover the cultural nuances of terms like 「界隈」and 「レッテルを貼る」and delve into the significance of understanding specific groups in society. Gain insights into the characteristics of different generations and how they shape societal discussions....

Join Sakura and Peter as they dive into the topic of Japan's iconic station melodies, evoking nostalgia or "kyoshu o yobiokosu." Discover how these melodies, amidst the "kenso" of bustling stations, hold cultural significance and evoke memories. Gain insights into the role of station melodies in Japanese society and how they reflect the essence of different regions. Educati...

Join Sakura and Peter in exploring why Lawson convenience stores are increasing their crane games. Discover the cultural insights of "コト消費" (experience-based consumption) and "ついで買い" (impulse purchase). Uncover the educational value of "エンタメ戦略" (entertainment strategy) in engaging consumers. Learn how these phrases relate to the rise of crane games at Lawson and their role in enhanc...