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."

https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001300586.pdf

■Books introduced in the episode:

"Selective Separate Surnames: What an IT Executive Thought and Did in His Lawsuit."

https://amzn.to/3SU3ztf

"[Public 702] High School Textbook for Civics."

https://amzn.to/3UGr4ay

■Survey form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■Twitter（現X）

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

■YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

■note
https://note.com/bignoblemen

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 known as "instant hot water drying."

In 1958, "Chicken Ramen" was launched. Despite its high price compared to traditional udon, the novel product quickly became popular due to its quality and convenience.

Other factors contributing to its success included the timing with supermarkets establishing a mass distribution system for processed foods, effective television commercials, and a rising demand for convenience among the growing number of dual-income and nuclear families. The package’s mascot, "Hiyoko-chan," was redesigned in 2010, endearing it to consumers of all ages.

Viewer Letters and Reference Data

"Inbound Marketing 2024 Edition: How Foreigners Decide on Dining Establishments in Japan"

⁠https://pro.gnavi.co.jp/magazine/t_res/cat_3/a_4139/⁠

"Agricultural Cooperative Bank: Survey on Japan's 'Food' from the Perspective of Foreign Visitors"

⁠https://www.nochubank.or.jp/efforts/pdf/research_2023_01.pdf⁠

Survey Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

Profile of Taiki Arai

Education designer specializing in online English learning and essay writing strategies. Holds a TOEIC score of 840 and Pre-1st Grade in EIKEN. Enjoys running and weight training.

Twitter (currently X)

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

Note

https://note.com/bignoblemen

■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, Governance, and Sense-making were not fulfilled.

■ Survey Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecxrGlGRJEdeVL2klEei5L1kGzjImbEnRJBsvBf_OPX2wYFQ/viewform

■ Twitter (currently X)

https://twitter.com/bignoblemen

■ YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@bignoblemen

■ note

https://note.com/bignoblemen

■ Reference Material

・What is Ride-sharing?

https://jidounten-lab.com/u_rideshare-rule-japan

・Ride-sharing Legislation and Safety Measures in Other Countries

https://www8.cao.go.jp/kisei-kaikaku/kisei/meeting/wg/2310_05local/231106/local03_02.pdf

・The Potential of Ride-sharing, Limited Legalization from April 2024

https://business.ntt-east.co.jp/bizdrive/column/post_215.html

・Ride-sharing to be Legalized in April Next Year: The Japanese Model Managed by Taxi Companies

https://www.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1555961.html

・Number of Uber Users

https://backlinko.com/uber-users

Ride-sharing Driver Recruitment

https://gojob.go.goinc.jp/rideshare

・Why Did Uber's Ride Service Fail in Japan?

https://coralcap.co/2021/04/why-uber-ride-failed-in-japan/

・Digital Agency note

https://digital-gov.note.jp/