Welcome to the 8th issue of the Hai Japan Newsletter!

This week, we’re returning to the original format (K.A.W.A.I.I).

This is not permanent, but I felt like returning to the good ol’ days.

Now, without further ADO…

In today’s email:

• Japan Opens its Doors to Foreign (and it’s a big door).

• 11 Pretty Convincing Reasons Why You Should Learn Japanese.

• The Anime I’m currently watching.

• Cool pictures, grammar tidbits, and more!

P.S This newsletter follows the K.A.W.A.I.I format which is a format I made up which you’ll figure out as you read.

STORYTIME - Katana

Essential Vocabulary

1. カタナ (Katana) - Katana (name)

2. 物語 (monogatari) - story

3. 私 (watashi) - I, me

4. 8歳 (hassai) - 8 years old

5. 父 (chichi) - father

6. ヒーロー (hiiroo) - hero

7. 世界 (sekai) - world

8. 救う (sukuu) - to save

9. 言う (iu) - to say, to tell

10. 信じる (shinjiru) - to believe

11. 嘘 (uso) - lie

12. 好む (konomu) - to like

13. 昨夜 (sakuya) - last night

14. 真実 (shinjitsu) - truth

15. 夢 (yume) - dream

16. 宇宙 (uchuu) - universe, cosmos

17. 色 (iro) - color

18. 善 (zen) - good

19. 悪 (aku) - evil

20. 時間 (jikan) - time

21. エネルギー (enerugii) - energy

22. 未来 (mirai) - future

23. 希望 (kibou) - hope

24. 絶望 (zetsubou) - despair

25. 母 (haha) - mother

26. 父 (chichi) - father

27. すべて (subete) - everything, all

(Japanese Version)

カタナの物語：

私が8歳のとき、父は私がヒーローであると言いました。

彼は言いました、「カタナ、お前は世界を救うんだ。」

私は信じませんでした。

父は嘘を好む人でした。彼はよく嘘をつきました。

しかし、昨夜、私は彼が真実を言っていたことに気づきました。

私は夢を見ました。その夢の中で、私は真実を見ました。

私は宇宙と色を見ました。善と悪を見ました。

私は時間を見ました。エネルギーを見ました。未来を見ました。

私は希望と絶望を見ました。

私は母と父を見ました。

私はすべてを見ました

(English Translation)

Katana’s story:

When I was 8 years old, my father told me that I was a hero.

He said, “Katana, you’re going to save the world.”

I did not believe him.

Father liked to lie. He lied a lot.

But last night, I realized that he was telling the truth.

I had a dream. In the dream, I saw the truth.

I saw space and color. I saw good. I saw evil.

I saw time. I saw energy. I saw the future.

I saw hope and hopelessness.

I saw mother and father.

I saw everything.

(Romaji Version)

Katana no monogatari:

Watashi ga 8-sai no toki, chichi wa watashi ga hiiroo de aru to iimashita.

Kare wa iimashita, "Katana, omae wa sekai o sukuun da."

Watashi wa shinjimasen deshita.

Chichi wa uso o konomu hito deshita. Kare wa yoku uso o tsukimashita.

Shikashi, sakuya, watashi wa kare ga shinjitsu o itte ita koto ni kizukimashita.

Watashi wa yume o mimashita. Sono yume no naka de, watashi wa shinjitsu o mimashita.

Watashi wa uchuu to iro o mimashita. Zen to aku o mimashita.

Watashi wa jikan o mimashita. Enerugii o mimashita. Mirai o mimashita.

Watashi wa kibou to zetsubou o mimashita.

Watashi wa haha to chichi o mimashita.

Watashi wa subete o mimashita.

Anime Spotlight:

Art.

Every week, this anime never fails to deliver pure awesomeness. I’ve spoken about this a lot already, so I’ll keep it short this time.

Please watch.

I’m not sponsored by this anime btw.

Japan Ready To Accept More Foreigners

The Japanese government decided to expand the "specified skilled worker" residency status to include four more areas, allowing up to 820,000 foreign workers to enter the program until the 2028 fiscal year.

This decision comes as Japan faces a shrinking population and labor shortages in various fields. The program, introduced in 2019, initially faced opposition but has since been expanded to include more industries.

As of October 2023, there were about 2.05 million foreign workers in Japan, and the government aims to accept around 1 million over the next five years.

The government is taking initiative the importance of foreign labor and the need for cooperation between the public and private sectors to promote working in Japan.

Japanese Man, 35, Has 4 Wives And 2 Girlfriends, Hasn’t Worked In 10 Years As He Lives Off Them

"Oppenheimer," an Academy Award-winning biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, has made its debut in Japan, where two nuclear devices killed hundreds of thousands nearly eight decades ago. The movie's release in Japan came more than eight months after its global debut.

Initially delayed in Japan due to its proximity to the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the film opened to a modest reception in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Unlike in the U.S., where billboards promoted the film in major cities, there was no such fanfare ahead of the Japan release.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer" portrays Oppenheimer's work on the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb. Despite its complexity, the film has resonated with audiences, including survivors of the atomic bombings, known as hibakusha. For them, the film serves as a reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons and the importance of understanding their impact.

Kunihiko Sakuma, a hibakusha who watched the film in Hiroshima, praised its ability to make the events surrounding the development of the atomic bomb easy to understand. He believes that everyone should be aware of these events, whether they are survivors or not. Terumi Tanaka, another hibakusha, hopes that the film will encourage people to consider the dangers of nuclear weapons and the potential for their use to lead to the destruction of humanity.

As "Oppenheimer" continues its run in Japan, it serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of the atomic bombings and the ongoing importance of nuclear disarmament.

Song of The Week:

I discovered this song some weeks ago and it’s been my anthem ever since. It’s just so groovy, fun and usually wakes me up at any hour of the day.

I know music is subjective, but if I like this song, SOMEONE else has to like it as well, right?

Let me know what your Japanese song of the week is by replying to this email!

11 Incredible Reasons to Learn Japanese

Learning Japanese can be challenging which is why it’s important to remind ourselves why we’re doing this in the first place.

Therefore, herewith a pretty convincing list of reasons to learn Japanese:

1. Job Opportunities in Both IT and Non-IT Fields: Whatever qualifications there are, there is an abundance of opportunities available in Japan. Obviously, employers prefer you know the Japanese language to be able to be more valuable.

2. Able to study in Japan: Gain access to many reputable universities and colleges in Japan.

3. Increasing Demand for Japanese Translators and Interpreters: Companies need translators and interpreters to facilitate communication between foreign employees and their Japanese counterparts especially as more foreigners enter Japan.

4. Cultural Connections: Make friends, travel, and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.

5. Start Coaching for JLPT Exams: When you become proficient, you can start coaching others on how to study for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) exams.

6. Boost Cognitive Function: Stimulate your brain and improve memory, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

7. Language Mastery: Improve your native language skills and enhance your overall linguistic abilities.

8. Improved Decision-Making: Learn to make more rational decisions, especially in a non-native language.

9. Spatial and Interpretive Skills: Enhance visual-spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities through kanji learning.

10. Kickstart A Teaching Career in Japan: Become a teacher in Japan from kindergarten teacher, primary school principals or a university professor. Whatever it is, you can build better relationships with Japanese students and staff.

11. Stand Out: Set yourself apart by choosing to learn a less common language and open new career avenues.

Why are you learning Japanese?

That’s all everyone!

Have a lovely day! 😃