This week's podcast
Overview
A quick study guide for the episode: what you will hear, what you can review, and what to revisit after listening.
Learn Japanese with real stories from Japan. This episode walks through three current news stories, highlights useful vocabulary and a formal grammar pattern, and ends with short listening passages you can review while you study.
Three real Japanese news stories with language-learning context
A vocabulary deep dive focused on disaster preparedness
A practical grammar note on につき used in formal Japanese
Listening practice passages in simple Japanese for review
Show notes
News Stories
These are the three stories covered in the episode, with direct links to our full article breakdowns and the original sources.
LINE Yahoo 3.11 Donation Campaign
LINE Yahoo announced a special March 11 remembrance campaign. For each user who searched "3.11", the company donated 10 yen to disaster relief groups. The campaign page also included a household disaster preparedness self-check tool called 我が家の防災カルテ.
Nikkei Stock Market Plunge
Japan's Nikkei Stock Average fell sharply as concerns about oil supply stability grew alongside tensions involving Iran. The article is packed with classic news Japanese, including terms like 情勢, 警戒, and 全面安.
Panasonic Hiring Changes
Panasonic said it will cut new graduate hiring by about 20% for fiscal 2027 and end its school recommendation system for university and graduate-level engineering roles. The announcement ties into the broader idea of 構造改革, or structural reform.
Language focus
Deep Dive: Disaster Preparedness Vocabulary
Review the core vocabulary from this episode, then study the grammar pattern used in formal notices and campaigns.
寄付
きふ • kifu
私は募金箱に寄付をします。
Watashi wa bokin bako ni kifu o shimasu.
“I make a donation to the donation box.”
防災
ぼうさい • bousai
家族と防災について話します。
Kazoku to bousai ni tsuite hanashimasu.
“I talk about disaster preparedness with my family.”
我が家
わがいえ • waga ie
我が家のルールを確認します。
Waga ie no ruuru o kakunin shimasu.
“I check our household rules.”
備える
そなえる • sonaeru
地震に備えて水と食べ物を準備します。
Jishin ni sonaete mizu to tabemono o junbi shimasu.
“I prepare water and food in case of an earthquake.”
共有する
きょうゆうする • kyouyuu suru
避難場所の情報を家族と共有します。
Hinan basho no jouhou o kazoku to kyouyuu shimasu.
“I share evacuation site information with my family.”
につきni tsuki
A formal pattern often used in notices, campaigns, and store rules to show a rate or amount for each person or unit.
Structure: noun/counter + につき
ユーザー1人につき10円を寄付します。
Yuuzaa hitori ni tsuki juu en o kifu shimasu.
“They donate 10 yen per user.”
1人につき1つまでです。
Hitori ni tsuki hitotsu made desu.
“One per person.”
100円につき1ポイントです。
Hyaku en ni tsuki ichi pointo desu.
“One point per 100 yen.”
Listen again
Listening Practice
The episode ends with short recaps in simple Japanese. Try listening first, then use the passages below to check what you caught.
Passage 1
1つ目のニュースです。ラインヤフーは3.11と検索した人ごとに10円を寄付しました。サイトでは防災の準備も勉強できます。
Passage 2
2つ目のニュースです。日本の株の値段が大きく下がりました。原油の値段が上がって、みんなが心配したからです。
Passage 3
3つ目のニュースです。パナソニックは新卒の採用を減らします。そして技術の仕事では、学校の勧めだけでなく、広く応募できるようにします。
Keep studying
Links & Next Steps
Continue with the resources mentioned in the show notes or jump back to the podcast hub for future episodes.