This week, on two summer evenings, about two thousand glowing lanterns floated on the moat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Today's story is about space. Japan's new small rocket Epsilon S passed its last big engine test this morning, after two explosions had delayed the project for years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Five fluffy kittens of a rare wild cat have just made their public debut at an animal park in Kobe. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Today's story comes from the world of sports. The Japanese government has officially decided to give the People's Honor Award to speed skater Miho Takagi, who won ten Olympic medals — the most ever by a Japanese female athlete. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

This week started with a national holiday in Japan — Marine Day, a day to thank the sea. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Today's story comes from medical science. Keio University reported that its clinical study transplanting cells made from iPS cells into spinal cord injury patients showed no serious side effects over the long term. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Japan is having a very hot summer, and it's not only people who suffer. An aquarium in Tokyo has shared how it keeps its animals cool. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Today's story comes from space. Japan's asteroid probe Hayabusa2 just pulled off a high-speed, super-close flyby of a small asteroid nicknamed Torifune. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.

Today's story is a cute one. A baby king penguin was just born at a theme park in Wakayama, and visitors can already come and see it. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.

Japan's first hydrogen-powered train is finally heading into passenger service. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.