In Hiratsuka, a city in Kanagawa near Tokyo, one of Japan's biggest star festivals opens today, with about a hundred giant paper decorations lining the streets. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Japan's weather agency has created a new word for days when the temperature climbs past forty degrees, and forecasts will start using it this summer. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

A big new exhibition about Antarctica opens in Tokyo today, celebrating seventy years of Japanese research at the South Pole. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Japan's government has announced that the number of babies born last year fell to a new record low. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Tomorrow, one of Japan's most famous summer festivals begins in Kyoto. It runs for the whole month of July. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

After seventy-nine years, the Negishi Housing Area used by the U.S. military in Yokohama has been returned to Japan. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Tomorrow, July first, the climbing season opens on Mount Fuji, and this year again every route charges an entry fee. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Japan loses to Brazil at the World Cup after leading, the Kintetsu Kyoto Line reopens fully, and heavy rain threatens southern Kyushu. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Okinawa's rainy season ends, the thirty-two teams for the World Cup knockout round are decided with Japan set to face Brazil, and a train derails at Kyoto Station with no injuries. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

The thirty-two teams for the World Cup knockout round are set, Mr. Matsubara wins a third term as mayor of Komae, and the Self-Defense Forces deploy missiles to Minami-Torishima island. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.