This week, two companies announced a plan to build Japan's biggest AI data center — not in Tokyo, but in Akita City in northern Japan, at a cost of over two trillion yen. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

今日は「立秋」、暦の上では秋が始まる Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Eighty-one years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This morning the city held its peace memorial ceremony, joined by representatives from a record number of countries. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

This morning in Sendai, in northern Japan, the city's famous star festival begins — the streets fill with thousands of giant paper streamers. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

In the world of shogi, Japanese chess, Tomoka Nishiyama is one title away from becoming the first woman ever to qualify as a full professional player. Today she met the press before her big match. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

This week in Akita, in northern Japan, the night sky is full of glowing lanterns. Performers balance long bamboo poles covered with lanterns on their hands, foreheads, and shoulders. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Automaker Nissan is back in the black for the first time in two years, after deep cost cuts — but its road ahead is still rough. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

A brand-new species of jellyfish, named after the Japanese god of fire, has just gone on display for the first time anywhere in the world, at two aquariums in Japan. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

For the first time in fifteen years, Japan and the United States have jointly stepped into the currency market, buying yen to stop its historic slide. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

This weekend, one of Japan's most famous summer festivals started in Aomori, in the north of Japan. Huge glowing paper figures parade through the city at night. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.