Japanese Daily News
A daily Japanese news podcast designed for learners. Each episode covers a real news story with vocabulary breakdowns, grammar notes, and practice quizzes. Hosted by Maya.
エピソード
EP 151: 生活道路の速度、時速60キロから30キロに
Japan just changed a big traffic rule. On the narrow streets where people live, cars must now drive much more slowly. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 150: 国際学力調査、日本がOECD加盟国で初の全分野1位
Japan's fifteen-year-olds just topped every OECD country in the world's biggest school survey — but there is a catch in the results. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 149: 秋の味覚シャインマスカット、今年は甘くて安い
It's autumn fruit season in Japan, and one big green grape is the star of the markets right now. This year it's sweeter than usual — and cheaper, too. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 148: アジア競技大会、まもなく愛知・名古屋で開幕
Asia's biggest sports festival opens in Japan later this month, and athletes are already arriving. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 147: 日本の景気拡大、戦後最長になった可能性
Japan's economy may have just made history: the current expansion could now be the longest since the end of the war. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 146: 悠仁さま、20歳の誕生日を迎える
Prince Hisahito, a young member of Japan's imperial family, has just turned twenty. Today we hear about his birthday and his life as a university student. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 145: アニメ映画「君の名は。」が公開から10年
Ten years ago this week, the anime movie Your Name opened in theaters across Japan. Now the director and fans are celebrating its birthday. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 144: 水玉の芸術家・草間彌生さん死去
Yayoi Kusama, the artist loved around the world for her polka dots and pumpkin sculptures, has died at the age of ninety-seven. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 143: 姫路セントラルパークで35年ぶりにゾウの赤ちゃんが誕生
At a big safari park in western Japan, a baby elephant has been born — the first one there in thirty-five years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 142: スズキ初の軽乗用EV「eスカイ」、今秋発売へ
Automaker Suzuki has unveiled its first kei-car electric vehicle, the e SKY, set to go on sale this autumn. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 141: 愛媛のとべ動物園でジャガーの双子の赤ちゃんを公開
At a zoo in western Japan, twin baby jaguars have just met the public for the first time. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 140: 首里城の正殿、火災から7年で復元完成へ
Seven years after a fire destroyed it, the main hall of Okinawa's Shuri Castle has been rebuilt — and its reopening date is now set. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 139: 名古屋の東山動植物園でアルマジロの赤ちゃんが誕生
At a zoo in Nagoya, a very unusual baby animal was born — a little armadillo. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 138: 葛西用水など4つの施設が世界かんがい施設遺産に認定
Four historic Japanese waterways — from an Edo-era canal to the moat of an ancient tomb — have just been named World Heritage Irrigation Structures. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 137: 男鹿水族館のホッキョクグマにジャンボスイカのプレゼント
At an aquarium in northern Japan, a polar bear got a very big and very special summer present. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 136: フィギュアペアの「りくりゅう」が婚約を発表
Japan's Olympic champion figure-skating pair shared some happy personal news today — an engagement, sealed with a proposal on the ice. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 135: 日本の探査機「MMX」、火星の月へ出発へ
Japan is getting ready for an exciting trip into space — a new probe will fly all the way to a moon of Mars, and bring something back. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 134: 智弁和歌山が夏の甲子園で5年ぶり4回目の優勝
Japan's summer high school baseball tournament crowned its champion today, with a dramatic comeback in the final at Koshien Stadium. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 133: 秋の味覚のサンマ、今年は「高級魚」に？
In Japan, autumn is the season of a famous grilled fish — the Pacific saury. But this year, that fish is becoming rare and expensive. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 132: 7月の消費者物価指数、上昇率が1.8%に拡大
Japan's consumer prices rose one point eight percent in July, and inflation is picking up speed again. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 131: 旭山動物園でアムールヒョウの赤ちゃんが誕生
From a famous zoo in Hokkaido, in northern Japan, comes some happy news about a very rare baby animal. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 130: 首都圏の新築マンション平均価格が過去最高に
The average price of a new condominium in the greater Tokyo area has hit a record high. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 129: 長期金利が約30年ぶりの高い水準に上昇
Japan's long-term interest rate has climbed to its highest level in about thirty years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 128: 佳子さま、高校生の手話スピーチコンテストに出席
In Tokyo, high school students from all over Japan gave speeches — not with their voices, but with their hands, in sign language. And Princess Kako came to cheer them on. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 127: 日本のGDP、3四半期連続のプラス成長
Japan's latest economic growth numbers are out — still positive, but weaker than expected. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 126: 徳島の夏の祭り「阿波おどり」が閉幕
In Tokushima, one of Japan's biggest and oldest summer dance festivals has just ended, after five days of music and dancing. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 125: 阿蘇山の噴火警戒レベルが3に引き上げ、入山規制
Volcanic activity is rising at Mount Aso in Kumamoto, and the eruption alert level has been raised to three. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 124: 京都の夏の伝統行事「五山送り火」が行われる
Last night, giant fires glowed on the mountains of Kyoto — a summer tradition with a beautiful meaning. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 123: 上野動物園のパンダ舎が解体へ、40年の歴史に幕
Tokyo's Ueno Zoo is saying goodbye to its old panda house — demolition starts tomorrow. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 122: 釧路湿原のキタサンショウウオを守る保護区ができる
In eastern Hokkaido, a tiny salamander is getting some big help from the government. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 121: 戦後81年の終戦の日、全国戦没者追悼式が行われる
Eighty-one years ago today, the Second World War ended for Japan. This evening's story is about the national memorial ceremony held in Tokyo for those who died in the war. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 120: 名古屋・東山動物園でコビトカバの赤ちゃんが誕生
Some happy news from Nagoya — one of the rarest animals in the world just had a baby at the city zoo. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 119: スーパーのコメの平均価格、7週間ぶりに値上がり
This evening's story is about rice. The average supermarket price of rice has gone up for the first time in seven weeks — but only slightly, and prices are still expected to keep falling. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 118: 夏の夜空に流れ星、ペルセウス座流星群が見ごろ
It's shooting star season — one of the year's most famous meteor showers is lighting up Japan's summer night sky, and this year the conditions are perfect. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 117: 千葉県にレベル5の大雨特別警報、線状降水帯が発生
This evening, record-breaking rain hit Chiba Prefecture, next to Tokyo, and the weather agency issued its highest-level emergency warning for fourteen cities. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 116: 海を越えたふすま絵、東京で150年ぶりの再会
Today's story is about three old Japanese paintings that were separated about one hundred fifty years ago — one stayed in Japan, and two crossed the ocean. Now they are together again in Tokyo. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 115: 日本人の大腸がん、半数に腸内細菌の毒素が関与
Japanese researchers have announced a major discovery: a toxin made by gut bacteria appears to be behind nearly half of the country's colorectal cancer cases. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 114: 沖縄美ら海水族館でイルカの赤ちゃんが誕生
Some happy news from Okinawa — a baby dolphin was born at a famous aquarium, and since Monday visitors can finally meet her. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 113: H3ロケット9号機、「みちびき7号機」の打ち上げに成功
Before dawn this morning, Japan's new flagship rocket lifted off, carrying a key satellite for the country's own version of GPS. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 112: 今日は「山の日」、記念の全国大会が飛騨高山で開催
今日は「山の日」、記念の全国大会が飛騨高山で開催 Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 111: ニチレイへのサイバー攻撃、盗まれた情報が公開か
Last month, Nichirei, one of Japan's biggest frozen-food companies, was hit by a cyberattack — and now hackers have published the stolen data. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 110: 横浜の動物園で国内初のオオアリクイの双子が誕生
At the Zoorasia zoo in Yokohama, twin baby giant anteaters were born this spring — the first anteater twins ever in Japan. Now there is happy news about them. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 109: 食料自給率が37%に低下、過去最低に
Japan now grows less of its own food than ever before — the country's food self-sufficiency rate has fallen to a record low. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 108: 「8」が三つ並ぶ縁起のいい日、婚姻届の窓口に行列
Yesterday's date was very special in Japan — year eight, month eight, day eight, three eights in a row. Many couples chose that lucky day to get married. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 107: お盆の帰省ラッシュが本格化
Japan's great summer homecoming has begun — this weekend, millions of people are heading back to their hometowns by bullet train, car, and plane for the mid-August holiday. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 106: 高知の夏の踊りの祭り「よさこい祭り」が開幕へ
Tomorrow in Kochi City, on the island of Shikoku, one of Japan's most famous dance festivals begins — thousands of dancers fill the streets, with small wooden clappers in their hands. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 105: 秋田市に国内最大級のAIデータセンター建設へ
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.
EP 104: 今日は「立秋」、暦の上では秋が始まる
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.
EP 103: 広島は原爆投下から81年、平和記念式典で平和宣言
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.
EP 102: 日本一の七夕、仙台七夕まつりが始まる
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.
EP 101: 将棋の西山朋佳さん、女性初の棋士資格に挑む
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.
EP 100: 秋田の夏祭り「竿燈まつり」が始まる
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.
EP 099: 日産自動車の決算、2年ぶりに黒字転換
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.
EP 098: 火の神の名前を持つ「カグツチクラゲ」を世界初展示
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.
EP 097: 円安是正へ、日米が15年ぶりの協調介入
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.
EP 096: 東北の夏の祭り「青森ねぶた祭」が始まる
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.
EP 095: 紙の健康保険証が終了、「マイナ保険証」へ完全移行
As of yesterday, Japan's old paper health insurance cards can no longer be used at hospitals — the country has fully switched to a digital insurance card built into the national ID card. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 094: 最低賃金が上がる、全国平均で時給1176円に
This week, Japan decided on a plan to raise the minimum wage. The national average will go up to a new record. It is important news for everyone who works, especially part-time workers. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 093: 情報活動の司令塔「国家情報局」が発足
Japan has just launched a new intelligence agency — a single command center for gathering and analyzing information about national security and diplomacy. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 092: 夏の全国高校野球「甲子園」がまもなく開幕
Japan's most beloved summer sports event is almost here: the national high school baseball tournament, played every year at a famous stadium in western Japan. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 091: 日本人の人口、42年ぶりに1億2000万人を下回る
Tonight's story is about a historic milestone for Japan: the country's population has fallen below one hundred twenty million for the first time in forty-two years. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 090: 沖縄美ら海水族館がアカマンボウの人工ふ化に世界で初めて成功
An aquarium in Okinawa has done something no one in the world had ever done: it hatched the babies of a big, beautiful ocean fish called the opah. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 089: 熊本県で震度7の大地震、避難生活が続く
Today's story is a serious one. A powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan earlier this week, and rescue and relief work is still going on. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 088: 多摩動物公園でトキのひな7羽が元気に育つ
This week, a zoo in Tokyo shared some happy news: seven chicks of the crested ibis, a very special Japanese bird, are growing up healthy. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 087: 日本三大祭りの一つ「天神祭」が大阪で開催
Tonight in Osaka, one of Japan's three biggest festivals reaches its main night, with a parade of about one hundred boats on the river and three thousand fireworks. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 086: サッカー日本代表の次期監督に大岩剛氏が就任へ
Today's story is from the world of football. The Japan Football Association has chosen Go Oiwa as the next manager of the national team, with an unusual half-year handover plan. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 085: 皇居千鳥ヶ淵で夏の夜の「灯ろう流し」
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.
EP 084: 新型ロケット「イプシロンS」の燃焼試験が成功
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.
EP 083: 神戸どうぶつ王国でマヌルネコの赤ちゃん5匹を公開
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.
EP 082: スピードスケートの高木美帆さんに国民栄誉賞
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.
EP 081: 夏の祝日「海の日」、全国の海がにぎわう
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.
EP 080: 慶応大学のiPS脊髄損傷治療、最長4年で長期の安全性を確認
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.
EP 079: 東京・池袋の「サンシャイン水族館」が『熱中症対策2026』を発表
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.
EP 078: 日本の小惑星探査機「はやぶさ2」が小惑星「トリフネ」のフライバイに成功
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.
EP 077: 和歌山の「アドベンチャーワールド」でオウサマペンギンの赤ちゃんが誕生
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.
EP 076: 日本初の「水素ハイブリッド電車」HYBARIが2027年度末に営業運転へ
Japan's first hydrogen-powered train is finally heading into passenger service. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 075: 高級ぶどう「ルビーロマン」が金沢で初競り、一房100万円
Today's story is a fun one about a very special grape called Ruby Roman, which just sold at auction in Kanazawa for a jaw-dropping price. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 074: 皇族の数を確保するための改正皇室典範が成立
Japan's parliament has revised the Imperial House Law for the first time in nearly eighty years, aiming to secure the number of imperial family members. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
EP 073: 日本の広い範囲で梅雨明け、厳しい暑さに
The rainy season is ending early across much of Japan, and a serious heat wave is on the way, so today's story is about staying safe in the summer heat. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N5-N4.
EP 072: 日本人で初めてノーベル生理学・医学賞を受賞した生物学者の利根川進さんが死去
Japan's first Nobel laureate in medicine, a biologist whose discovery changed how we understand the body, has passed away at eighty-six. Learn Japanese with native audio, furigana, vocabulary and grammar. Level N4-N3.
