Hello, this is RWPOINTWOMAN, and this is Last Week in Japanese News, where I translate Japanese news articles from the Easy Japanese news reader app into English.
My vocabulary runs the gamut from JLPT N5 (beginner) to N1 (most advanced) but I don't know most N3-N1 words. I just started entering words of various levels into my Anki deck (spaced-repetition flashcard deck) from the one raw manga I have in the house, Darker than Black, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, ShiliTV, Cult Cinema Classics, Nihongoal, and Easy Japanese. N5 I know most of followed by N4.
My grasp of grammar tops out at mid-N3. I am working on it with Nihongoal, a YouTube channel based on the Minna no Nihongo textbook.
My speaking practice doesn't currently go beyond recording myself saying Japanese words for my Anki deck. The friend I used to talk to is tied up in other stuff.
My listening practice consists of the occasional Asahi News Network listen on YouTube. I have put listening to any anime without Japanese subtitles on hold. It's just going to be too hard until I've learned more words.
My reading practice consists mostly of Easy Japanese news articles and Japanese tweets about cats. The rest is mostly subtitled videos on YouTube that don't even have Japanese audio.
My writing practice mostly consists of tweeting replies to Japanese tweets about cats. I have started tweeting in Japanese on my own timeline once a day. So far, it looks like it's going to be just poetry.
My kanji study is currently nonexistent except for reading Jisho entries for them while looking up words for my Anki deck. However, I did download two kanji study apps.
My main method of immersion is Easy Japanese news articles.
Anyway, on with the show!
September 25, 2022:
Apple to raise app prices by 30%. Is this because of the rising dollar? (Asahi)
Apple has announced that it will raise the price of its apps about 30% in Japan from October 5, with such increases as from ¥120 to ¥160.
Apple has not divulged the reason for the price hike, but it is believed that this and other price hikes in places like Europe and Korea are a measure reflective of the rising dollar.
September 26, 2022:
METI determines that extending operating period of 40-year-old nuclear power plants to have "no scientific basis." (Asahi)
The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) entered "there is no scientific basis" into its definitive analysis of extending the operation of nuclear power plants that were mainly 40 years old.
Out of these usually operational-for-40-years plants, the oldest of which was 60 years old, most of them were to end their useful lives in 2050.
METI indicated that a plan to discuss that there was "no scientific basis" for extending the operation of nuclear power plants.
It said it, "plan[s] to communicate with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
It also plans to compile a draft policy that includes things like establishing next-generation nuclear power plants.
September 27, 2022:
Reporting method for COVID-19 infections changed. (NHK)
Until now, hospitals had to report data like the full names and addresses of people infected with the novel coronavirus to health care centers.
However, starting on September 26, it will only be necessary to report the name under such circumstances as the patient being at least 65 years old or pregnant or the case being severe enough to require hospitalization. This is to more intensely treat those with a high risk of severe illness in order to prevent hospitals from being overcrowded.
Entities such as prefectures have set up Kenkou Foroo appu sentaa (health follow-up centers) for those outside those groups who are isolating at home. When those isolating at home register at the center themselves, they are referred to a hospital if they feel unwell. From hereon out, it will be important to do things like try to inform those who are isolating at home how to contact the center and not to go outside even if they do not have symptoms such as fever.
McDonald's to raise retail price of ~60% of items by ¥10-¥30. (Asahi)
McDonald's Japan has announced that it will raise the retail price of about 60% of its items.
Starting September 30, McDonald's Japan will raise the retail prices of about 60% of items.
The price increases range from ¥10 to ¥30 and the price of a hamburger will increase from ¥130 to ¥150, the price of a Big Mac from ¥390 to ¥410, and the price of a small MacFry Potato from ¥150 to ¥160.
Reportedly, they have been affected by things like the sudden jump in price of raw ingredients, rising labor and logistics costs; and the cheap yen.
They are not raising the price of their drinks.
Also, their home delivery service is raising the price of about 60% of its items and the Cafe Corners of some stores are raising the price of about 30% of theirs.
McDonald's said, "We will continue to improve our quality and stabilize procurement of raw ingredients. We will try to construct an efficient logistics network."
September 28, 2022:
Former Prime Minister Abe's funeral over. (NHK)
When former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave a speech in support of candidates for elected office in Nara City, he was shot and killed with a gun. His funeral was held in Tokyo on September 27. Prime Minister Kishida, members of the National Diet, foreign prime ministers, etc. attended it. At about 2:00 PM, the JSDF performed the national anthem and the funeral began. Afterwards, everyone quietly prayed for 1 minute.
Prime Minister Kishida said, "You are the longest serving Prime Minister Japan has ever had. Everyone will always remember the work you did." Former Prime Minister Suga, representing his friends, said, "Abe truly was Japan's leader."
Prime Minister Kishida plans to meet with 30 people including American Vice President Harris and Indian Prime Minister Modi over the next 3 days.
Yoshinoya, Hanamaru Udon to raise prices in October. (Asahi)
Major gyudon chain Yoshinoya has announced price increases for its main products, which include gyudon and butadon, to be implemented October 1.
All sizes of items like gyudon namimori, which costs ¥408, are to have their prices raised by ¥20.
This is the first time in about a year that prices have raised for gyudon.
Also, Hanamaru Udon has announced price increases ranging from ¥10-¥100 for items like its main udon dishes.
A small kakeudon will cost ¥30 more, bringing the total to ¥270, and kitsune udon will cost ¥50 more, bringing its total to ¥390.
The reason is a combination of factors such as sudden jumps in the prices of raw ingredients and logistics.
September 29, 2022:
Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance about 40% of men say "paternity leave", which starts next month, will make childcare leave "easier to get". (Asahi)
The law governing determing whether men can demand paternity leave has been changed and things like what is called sango papa ikukyuu will begin next month, but about 40% of male respondents answered that, "it has become easier to demand."
Because of the revised childcare • nursing care leave law, sango papa ikukyuu, which starts October 1, will, in particular, grant men 4 weeks of paternity leave, the largest interval ever.
According to Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance, 41% of men responded that, "leave will be easier to request," because of the new system.
37% said, "I don't think it will," and over 30% of those said, "my employer won't understand" and "financial aspects like decreased wages."
The Japanese government's survey found no more than 14% of men went on childcare leave.
It wants to boost this to 30% by 2025.
September 30, 2022:
"Sexual harassment happened." Ministry of Defense apologizes to woman who was in JSDF. (NHK)
This August, Rina Gonoi requested that the Ministry of Defense initiate an investigation due to her being sexually harassed while in the Fukushima unit.
The Ministry of Defense questioned about 100 people. They learned that members of her unit verbally sexually harassed her and groped her every day as a result. Gonoi was groped, pushed, and thrown down during training. The testimony heard did not indicate that it was a superior.
The Ministry of Defense apologized to Gonoi. Additionally, it said it would investigate the perpetrators even more.
It said, "I want the perpetrators to apologize, too. We'll try to prevent anything like that from happening again."
That's all for this week.