Last month (December 2022) record snowfall blanketed Niigata Prefecture, leaving hundreds of cars stranded. Join us as we listen to a story in simplified Japanese about driving safely in wintry conditions. We highlight everyday Japanese terms related to snow, and learn about how to prepare for winter weather hazards, providing helpful information for overseas travelers not accustomed to snow and international residents living in vulnerable urban areas.

Last December, Japan revised its civil aeronautics law to permit drone flights over residential areas beyond the visual light of sight. Join us as we listen to a news story about a new drone delivery service Japan Post aims to launch in fiscal year 2023. We study some drone-related vocabulary and provide an overview of how to send packages in Japan.

Join us as we listen to a news story about how Japan's government has decided to downgrade the legal status of COVID-19, which is currently classified as equivalent to Category 2, the second-most severe tier. On May 8, it will be lowered to Category 5, the same grouping as seasonal influenza. We talk about what will change with the reclassification, ask international residents for their thoughts, and consult experts for advice.

Hay fever season has arrived in Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government forecasts that the amount of pollen in the air this spring will be 2.7 times more than last year. They say long hours of sunshine in early summer last year encouraged cedar and Japanese cypress trees to grow and produce more pollen. Join us as we listen to this news story and talk about ways to manage hay fever.

The topic of "kirakira neemu," a term that refers to unconventional given names in Japan, has sparked debate in recent years. In an effort to streamline the digitization of administrative procedures, the Justice Ministry has proposed revising the Family Register Law. We listen to a news story about the recommended changes, which include limiting readings to those widely recognized by the public. We also learn about Japanese naming trends and their historical context.

Join us as we listen to a news story about how all bicycle riders must make an effort to wear a helmet starting April. Currently, the law only requires that guardians try to ensure that children under age 13 wear a helmet. But with bicycle accidents on the rise across Japan, the Road Traffic Act has been revised. We also take an in-depth look at bicycle safety.

Complicated procedures and the language barrier can make it difficult for non-Japanese residents to open bank accounts. We listen to a news story about a new service that allows international residents to easily open accounts on their smartphones. It was launched by a Tokyo-based regional bank and a financial technology firm on March 1. In the second half of the program we learn about what items you need to sign up for a bank account.

Mount Fuji is a popular tourist spot known for its scenic beauty, but what many international visitors don't realize is that it's actually an active volcano. Follow along as we listen to a news story about a new evacuation plan unveiled by Shizuoka, Yamanashi and Kanagawa prefectures that aims to leave no person behind in the event of an eruption. We also learn about the volcano's explosive history and talk about how travelers should prepare for a visit.

On March 18, JR East and other railway operators in the Tokyo metropolitan area raised fares by 10 yen. They will use the funds to improve accessibility and safety at their station facilities. Join us as we listen to this news story in Japanese, learn about what kind of "barrier-free" modifications are being made, and give some tips for international visitors who are wheelchair users or have limited mobility on how to navigate stations.

We listen to a news story about how Japanese taxi companies will now be able to introduce dynamic pricing for certain offerings. Operators that apply with the transport ministry will be able to flexibly set fares for taxis hailed through approved smartphone apps when users specify their destination and get fares upfront. In the second half of the program, we go over how to catch a taxi in Japan and how services have been evolving since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A Yokohama-based foundation that supports international residents in Japan has created a guide to help expectant parents understand childbirth and childcare in the country. It's available in five languages in addition to simple Japanese and can be viewed on the organization's website. Follow along as we listen to the news story, go over what the guide offers, and learn about Japan's "boshi-techoo" (Maternal and Child Health Handbook) system.

Join us as we listen to a news story about so-called linear rainbands, which are areas of intense rainfall caused by rows of dense rain clouds. In May, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that it will begin issuing alerts when it predicts the occurrence of a linear rainband within 30 minutes. Previously, it only did so when one was confirmed. We look at the damage that this weather phenomenon can cause and consider how early forecasts can help us prepare for torrential rains.

Follow along as we listen to a news story about a farmer in the town of Iinan in Shimane Prefecture who grows rice without the use of chemicals, thanks to the help of aigamo ducklings that eat weeds and pesky insects. In the second half of the program, we consider rice as a staple food for Japanese people. We learn about different varieties and go over the basics of how to cook rice.

Follow along as we listen to a story about invasive alien species. Starting June 1, Japan has banned the import and sale of red swamp crayfish and pond slider turtles, two non-native species that have been wreaking havoc on local ecosystems. Releasing them into the wild is also prohibited. Violators may face fines or imprisonment. In the second half of the program, we take a closer look at what kind of damage the animals are causing and what authorities are doing to deal with the problem.

The government has expanded eligibility for the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status of residence from 2 industries to 11. The status allows foreign nationals to work virtually indefinitely in Japan. In the second half of the program, we talk about why the Specified Skilled Worker status was created, learn about what industries are covered, and interview a worker who hopes to upgrade their status now that eligibility has expanded.

Starting next July, the government will issue redesigned banknotes in three denominations: 10,000 yen, 5,000 yen and 1,000 yen. The bills will incorporate updated security features, including special holograms. Join us as we listen to this news story in Japanese and study passive constructions. In the second half of the program, we spotlight the historical figures who will be featured on the new bills and learn about anti-counterfeiting technology.

In August, a shrine in Okayama Prefecture held an event showcasing the quenching process of a Japanese sword, which produced a "hamon" pattern along the edge of the blade. The item will be dedicated to the shrine's deity in December. Follow along as we listen to the story and learn expressions related to "katana" (sword). In the second half we spotlight Japanese kitchen knives, which adapt traditional sword-making techniques. We also hear from international visitors interested in Japanese knives.

"Yami-baito" are shady part-time jobs that lure applicants in with the promise of high pay and coerce them into being complicit in crimes such as fraud and robbery. The National Police Agency recently published a report on this disturbing trend after listening to the accounts of young perpetrators. In the second half of the program, we go over the tactics that crime groups use to manipulate workers and look at how international residents are being targeted.

September 1 is Disaster Prevention Day in Japan, and to mark the occasion a cooking site has compiled recipes designed for sheltering in place during an emergency, when access to utilities such as water, electricity and gas may be limited. We listen to the story in Japanese and learn some key expressions. In the second half of the program, we learn some tips and techniques for off-grid cooking and introduce a recipe that can be prepared with a portable gas stove.

In August, Nagaragawa Railway in Gifu Prefecture started running a theme train decorated with plastic food models made locally in Gujo City. It's currently scheduled to run until August 2024. Japanese fake foods have a global reputation for their extraordinary craftsmanship. Join us as we listen to the story in Japanese. Later in the program we look at the history of the craft and how the molding methods are being adapted for other fields such as medicine.

We listen to a news story about a new 100 yen visitor tax introduced in October by the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture. City officials expect this tax to generate 104 million yen in revenues by next March. In the second half of the program, we shine a light on overtourism in Japan and look at the ways cities are trying to reduce the strain on both residents and tourists, providing helpful tips for international visitors along the way.

Amid a growing labor shortage, Japanese security firms are investing in the development and deployment of autonomous drones and robots. Join us as we listen to this story in Japanese and learn about expressions related to having or not having enough of something. In the second half of the program, we shine a light on service robots in action. More and more are being rolled out across the hospitality industry, which is also grappling with a lack of workers.

More companies are launching digital business card services, which allow users to easily exchange professional information with their smartphones instead of with conventional paper cards. The demand for such services is expected to increase as it is becoming more common in Japan to switch careers and work side jobs. In the second half of the program, we look at how digital business cards may change the way companies and individuals promote themselves and their brands.

Anime Tokyo Station, a new facility dedicated to showcasing Japanese animation to a global audience, opened in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo on October 31. It boasts an archive of around 50,000 items, including scripts, storyboards and animation cels from popular series. In the second half of the program, we look at how Ikebukuro became an anime and manga destination on the same level as the famous Akihabara district.