246,616 Climbers To Mount Fuji

(Kyodo) KOFU, Yamanashi Pref. — Fine weather helped iconic Mount Fuji attract 246,616 climbers in July and August, up about 20,000 from last year, an official from the city that hosts the main starting point in Yamanashi Prefecture said.

German customs demand $475,000 for Japanese musician's violin

German customs seized a $1.2 million violin from a Japanese professional musician and are demanding she pay almost $475,000 to get it back, reports said on Wednesday. Belgium-based Yuzuko Horigome was transiting through Frankfurt Airport last week after performing in Japan, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said. When she tried to walk through the green gate for travelers arriving in the EU with nothing to declare, customs officers stopped her and said she needed to pay 190,000 euros in duty on her 1741 Guarnerius violin.

Airport Automated Face Recognition Tests Begin

A facial recognition test program began at automated gates for immigration at Narita and Kansai airports on Monday. In the tests, the faces of incoming and outbound travellers will be automatically checked against passport photographs at the immigration gates. The tests target Japanese travellers and are intended to improve the performance of the automated gate system. One such gate is installed at each of four international airports--Haneda, Narita, Central Japan and Kansai. The system has so far checked travellers’ fingerprints for identification.

Visit Ancient Temples of Japan with Google's World Wonders Project

A new site from Google puts its Street View tools to work to showcase some of the most storied and beautiful places on Earth. Google unveiled this morning a new undertaking from its Cultural Institute called the World Wonders Project. On the site, viewers can explore a map with pins marking famed places around the world and then, aided by visuals from Google's Street View technology, they can go in and explore "in 360 degrees just as if you were there." The project currently includes 132 destinations from 18 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. No sites from Africa have yet been included, and the offerings from South America and Asia are noticeably sparse. Google did not say how it had made decisions about what to highlight, but that the selection would expand over time. Partners including UNESCO and World Monuments Fund provided information that runs alongside the virtual destinations.

AirAsia Japan to Offer 5 yen Promotional Fares for Domestic Routes

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- AirAsia Japan Co., a budget airline owned partly by All Nippon Airways Co., said Wednesday it will start selling one-way tickets on its website for 5 yen for 10,000 seats on three domestic routes in a special campaign ahead of its inaugural flight scheduled for Aug. 1. The promotional tickets are available for flights linking Narita International Airport near Tokyo to Sapporo, Fukuoka and Naha in Okinawa Prefecture. The Tokyo-Sapporo and Tokyo-Fukuoka flights will commence on Aug. 1, while the Tokyo-Okinawa route will start on Aug. 3. The special tickets will be sold for four days from Thursday to Sunday for flights from Aug. 28 to Nov. 28. AirAsia Japan said the minimum regular fare for the Tokyo-Sapporo and Tokyo-Fukuoka routes will be 4,580 yen and 5,180 yen, respectively. The minimum fare for the Tokyo-Okinawa route will be 6,680 yen. Passengers will be charged an additional 150 yen in commission, the airline said.

Sumida River to light up with LED fireflies

By MAAYA KONAGAI Staff writer Japan isn't a difficult place to live. If you want to eat Mexican food, there are Mexican restaurants. If you want to buy brand-name British clothes, there are shops and websites that deliver. So Tokyo Hotaru Festival asks the question: What does Tokyo, where you can get anything, really need now? The answer, organizers say, has to do with a return to the past. Long ago, the Sumida River, which runs through Tokyo's east end, was one of the life sources of the community. The Hotaru Festival will try to draw attention to an effort by locals to beautify the river and its precincts. As May 5 is Children's Day in Japan, there will be a lot of activities for families to do by the river.

Southampton remembers the Titanic

A southern port city in Britain has commemorated those who died in the sinking of the Titanic with a series of events. The events were held in Southampton on Tuesday, the 100th anniversary of the ship's departure from the city for New York. About 500 children took part. The luxury liner sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg. More than 1,500 people died. Southampton was home to most of the ship's crew. Children paraded through the city center carrying placards bearing the names and images of the deceased.

Sky Tree to offer world's highest bungee jump

Tokyo's newest and biggest visitor attraction, the 634-meter-high Tokyo Sky Tree in Sumida Ward, will open to the public on May 22. And if 11th-hour contract negotiations bear fruit, visitors to the Sky Tree may soon have the opportunity to plummet 430 meters (over 1,400 feet) toward terra firma, in what is claimed to be the world's highest commercial bungee jump. The new service, it was learned, has been quietly undergoing safety tests late at night. If arrangements can be finalized within this month, the first customers may be able to take death-defying dives from the Sky Tree from around mid-June. Because the project is still tentative, it has been kept under heavy wraps. To maintain secrecy while the negotiations are underway, test jumps have been conducted in the small hours of the morning, starting in January.

Strong storm wreaks chaos nationwide

At least one elderly man was killed and several other people were injured as strong winds swept across the nation Tuesday, and the Meteorological Agency called for continued vigilance in northern regions Wednesday. Although details were not immediately available, more injuries were reported mainly from western prefectures. The Meteorological Agency warned people in other regions, including commuters in Tokyo, to brace for gusts and possible disruptions of public transportation. The winds disrupted operations of airplanes and trains, including shinkansen, mainly in western Japan in the morning. The Meteorological Agency said an active low pressure system and fronts were likely to bring strong winds to northern and north-eastern Japan from later Tuesday to Wednesday.

Subsidy eyed to promote study abroad

40 universities could receive 5-year grants

The Yomiuri Shimbun - The education ministry plans to establish a new financial support system for universities encouraging students to study abroad, it has been learned. The ministry aims to promote the idea of studying abroad to Japanese students, who are often regarded as being introverted, to foster human resources who will be motivated to actively participate in the nation's domestic and international affairs. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is targeting about 40 universities and plans to grant from 100 million yen to 200 million yen in annual subsidies to each institution.

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 2

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Hobbies ·         Tell me about any hobbies you have now or had in the past. ·         Do you feel you have enough free time for hobbies? Why? Why not? ·         How important is it for people to have hobbies at different ages? ·         If you had the chance to take up a new hobby, what would it be? Why?

Across Japan with just a Smartphone for money

Most of us don't leave the house without checking that we have our keys, wallet and phone. But soon our pockets may be a little lighter. New technology will let us leave our wallets behind and pay for goods and services with our mobile phones. But mobile-wallets have now been available in Japan for more than six years, so it is an ideal place to see how this technology works. Over 70 million people in Japan own tap-and-go phones, and their use is on the rise. The country's rulers and other vested interests have pushed the new technology hard so a robust network is now in place. However, despite the availability of this technology, this is still a country that loves cash – and plastic cards, particularly the dreaded foreign visa/debit card, can be looked on askance.

Japan will have a space elevator by 2050

It might be the stuff of science fiction dreams, but a Japanese construction company has announced that it will build a working space elevator by 2050. According to the Daily Yomiuri, construction company Obayashi Corp has announced it will build a space elevator capable of shuttling passengers 36,000 kilometers above the Earth by 2050. The company plans to use carbon nanontubes, which are 20 times stronger than steel, to produce the cables required for the elevator. Those cables will be stretched to a counterweight 96,000 kilometers above our planet, about one-fourth of the distance between the Earth and the moon. The terminal station, 36,000 kilometers above Earth, will be reached by cars that can carry 30 people and travel at 200 kilometers per hour. Source:  http://gizmodo.com/5887210/japan-will-have-a-space-elevator-by-2050

VOCABULARY

1.       Stuff (n) - exactly the kind of that dream

2.       Fiction (n) - something that people want you to believe is true but which is not true

3.       Shuttling (v) - to move people from one place to another place  

4.       Cable (n) – rope or wire for support

5.       Counterweight (n) - a weight that is as heavy as something else, so that the two objects can balance

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.       What can you say about the article?

2.       What do you think is the purpose of this space elevator?

3.       Would you ride on this elevator? Why? Why not?

4.       Talk about science fictions.

5.       Were you ever interested in studying about space?

AKB48 thanks China for 3/11 aid with Beijing concert

BEIJING — Six members of pop idol group AKB48 staged a special show in Beijing to thank the Chinese public for its support after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The members of the all-girl group performed three songs in front of around 500 fans Friday, at an event held to demonstrate Japan's gratitude for China's post disaster assistance and also to support devastated areas in Tohoku by displaying local specialties. "Thank you for supporting us at the time of the disaster," AKB48 member Ayaka Umeda said. "We'd like to perform live concerts all over the world this year, including in China." AKB48 is popular in China and around 14,000 fans applied for the 500 seats at the concert, according to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. The group was scheduled to hold another concert China's capital Saturday before moving on to Shanghai and then Hong Kong to perform at similar events. Source: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120219a6.html?

VOCABULARY

1.       Staged (v) - to arrange and perform a play or show

2.       Demonstrate (v) - to show that you have a particular ability, quality, or feeling

3.       Gratitude (v) - the feeling of being grateful

4.       Post (adj.) - happening or existing after

5.       Devastated (adj.) - feeling extremely shocked and sad

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.       Do you like AKB48? Why? Why not?

2.       What kind of music do they play? Popular songs?

3.       Do you think holding a concert is a good way to thank people? Explain.

4.       Name other celebrities who did the same.

5.       How is Tohoku region 1 year after the devastating earthquake?

Japan's Isle of White in Sapporo

Possessing few ancient historic relics like Nara, Hiraizumi and Kyoto, Sapporo has wide streets, mostly modern architecture and lots of parks, gardens and scattered green belts. But it's mid-winter, when the greens shed their colour and up to 6m of snow tumbles down, that Sapporo really shines, attracting two million visitors to the glittering Sapporo Snow Festival. What began as a game in 1950 when local high school kids built six snow statues in downtown Odori Park has grown into one of the world's most dazzling winter celebrations, with displays of sculpture and architecture in snow and ice created by competing sculptors from more than 20 countries. For seven days, beginning on February 6, hundreds of beautifully crafted pieces, from small statues to elaborate  life-size palaces, will adorn the main venue, Odori Park, the nearby Susukino district and the grounds of Tsudome, a family-oriented site a short bus ride away with snow slides, snow rafting and snow golf. The displays are augmented by several concerts and cultural events and by night the sculptures are artistically illuminated, adding to the fantasy wonderland atmosphere. Suitably rugged-up locals and visitors stroll around the exhibits building snowmen, sipping hot cherry beer and visiting the shops, restaurants and bars dotted around the park and in the adjacent nightlife quarter Susukino. Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/japans-isle-of-white-in-sapporo/story-fn6ci05x-1226250035019

VOCABULARY

1.      Isle (noun) - a word for an island, used in poetry or in names of islands

Example: the pacific isle

2.      Relics (noun) - an old object or custom that reminds people of the past or that has lived on from a past time

Example:  relics of ancient China

3.      Dazzling(adj.) - very impressive and attractive

Example: a dazzling display of football skills

4.      Elaborate (adj.) - carefully planned and organized in great detail

Example: a very elaborate telecommunications network

5.      Adorn (verb) - to decorate something

Example: church walls adorned with religious paintings

6.      Augmented (verb) - to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it 

Example: Job training will augment [supplement] the class work.

7.      Adjacent (adj.) – next to; close or near;

Example: We stayed in adjacent rooms.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.      Have you ever been to Sapporo Snow Festival? Share your Snow Festival experience.

2.      What activities do you do in winter?

3.      Tell us some festivals in your country.

4.      What is the importance of festivals?

Return of Chinese Tourists to Japan in Big Numbers

TOKYO—After being scared off by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, Chinese tourists are visiting Japan in record numbers again, generating much-needed business and optimism for the nation's struggling retail and tourism sectors. During the Lunar New Year holiday that sent millions of people travelling across Asia and beyond, tourists from mainland China thronged popular destinations in Japan, from ski slopes on the northern island of Hokkaido, to electronics stores in Tokyo, to ancient temples in Kyoto. That is quite a change from last spring, when tourism in Japan ground to a virtual halt amid radiation fears following the March 11 nuclear accident. In December, the number of Chinese visitors rose 32% from a year earlier to a record 80,000, following a similar increase in November. Anecdotal evidence suggests another surge in January. The recovery in Chinese tourism, which started around September, serves as a reminder of how Japan relies on China's powerful economic growth to prop up its own economy ailing from a long malaise and a shrinking and aging population. China is now by far Japan's largest trading partner, and its direct investments in Japan have grown sharply in recent years, albeit from low levels The Japanese government has actively sought Chinese tourists in recent years, easing visa requirements in order to expand such travel. Expectations for growth are huge. As part of Tokyo's long-term economic growth strategy, Japan hopes to increase the number of foreign visitors to the nation to 20 million by 2020 and counts on Chinese visitors to make up six million of the total.  Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204740904577190352257661174.html

VOCABULARY

1.      Optimism (noun) -  a feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future 

Example: The Mayor expressed optimism about the future of the town.

2.      Thronged (verb) – people go there in large numbers

Example: Tourists thronged the bars and restaurants.

3.      Halt (verb) - to stop (something or someone) from moving or continuing 

Example: The strike halted subways and buses.

4.      Anecdotal (adj.) - consisting of short stories based on someone's personal experience

Example: His findings are based on anecdotal evidence rather than serious research.

5.      Surge (verb) - to suddenly increase [= shoot up]

Example: Oil prices surged.

6.      Malaise (noun) - a problem or condition that harms or weakens a group, society, etc.

Example:  The country's current economic problems are symptoms of a deeper malaise.

7.      Easing (verb) - to make a process, happen more easily[= smooth]

Example:  The agreement will ease the way for other countries to join the meeting.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.      How did the big earthquake in Japan affect tourism?

2.      Discuss about tourism in your country.

3.      What are the benefits of tourism?

4.      What countries would you like to visit? Why?

5.      Tell something about the beautiful places you visited.

The Ryokan Experience

Ryokans are Japanese-styled inns from centuries ago and are more than just a place to stay. They offer the visitor a chance to experience traditional Japanese lifestyle; from tatami (rice mats) covered floors and futon beds to Japanese styled baths and local cuisine presented in an authentic manner. They are a window into life in Japan in the old days. Ryokans originated sometime in the 17th century, and their primary purpose was to serve those travelling along Japanese highways such as the famed Tokaido road between Tokyo and Kyoto. They are typically stationed in a quiet, idyllic setting, often next to natural hot springs. While there are quite a few city ryokans in urban areas, seek out the ones next to the hot springs, known as onsen ryokan, for a tranquil Japanese holiday. The key to having a great time at a ryokan is to understand Japanese traditions beforehand. A quintessential ryokan experience would start when hosts greet their visitors at the street door. After the customary bowing, your shoes are replaced with slippers. According to Japanese tradition, it is considered impolite to ask for your shoes before the stay is over. Tea is served in a large entrance hall, where people can sit and talk, after which guests are shown to their rooms. A typical ryokan room is usually covered in tatamis and has a sleeping area, at times a step higher. With little furniture, apart from a comfortable floor seating made up of cushions, the rooms are aesthetic and minimal. The sliding doors open to a veranda with spectacular views of a manicured garden. Often, at the centre of the room, there is a firepit called irori. Most modern ryokan rooms are now equipped with television, a mini-bar and a safe for valuables. A blue and white-patterned yukata (cotton robe) is provided to guests, and during winters, a tanzen gown can be worn over it. Source: http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/94387.php

VOCABULARY

1.      Authentic (adj.) - done or made in the traditional or original way [= genuine]:

Example: authentic Japanese food

2.      Idyllic (adj.) -  very peaceful, happy, and enjoyable

Example: an idyllic summer day

3.      Tranquil (adj.) - pleasantly calm, quiet, and peaceful:

Example: a small tranquil village

4.    Quintessential (adj.) - being a perfect example of a particular type of person or thing [= typical]:

Example:  He was the quintessential Japanese.

5.      Aesthetic (adj.)  - connected with beauty and the study of beauty:

Example:  the statue's aesthetic [=artistic] 

6.      Manicured (verb)  - to make (something, such as a lawn or a garden) look neat, smooth, and attractive 

Example: She spends her weekends working in her garden and manicuring her lawn.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.      Tell us about your Ryokan experience.

2.      Discuss some of your country’s culture.

3.      Share your experience about other country’s culture.

100 days visit to 47 prefectures to woo back tourists

KANAZAWA, Ishikawa Pref. — while tourism in Japan has been sluggish since the March 11 calamity, a British couple recently completed a 100-day tour of all 47 prefectures to help bring foreign travellers back to the country. Jamie Lafferty, a 28-year-old writer, and Katy Morrison, a 29-year-old photographer, made the journey as part of the Travel Volunteer Project initiated by a travel agency in central Japan. Lafferty and Morrison were selected as "travel volunteers" from among 1,897 applicants from 85 countries. Magellan Resorts & Trust Inc. in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, launched the initiative to show the world through foreigners' eyes that Japan remains a safe and attractive destination. The agency had to do something: All of its reservations from overseas were cancelled following the March catastrophes. Fukushima Prefecture, home to the crippled nuclear plant, was part of their itinerary. The couple also visited Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, in November, and dined on Sanuki "udon" noodles, a local specialty.  "If anyone is planning a second trip to Japan, or perhaps doesn't fancy the crowds that fill Tokyo, Kyoto et al., then we recommend simply coming here . . . there's some of its most visited shrines and temples, and the excellent noodles, of course," the couple wrote on their blog. "Basically it's all of Japan, in miniature."Their journey blogs have been accessed more than 50,000 times in the last four months. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120126f3.html

VOCABULARY

1.   Woo (verb) - to try to persuade someone to do something such as buy something from you, vote for you, or work for you.

Example: The company must find creative ways to woo new employees.

2.      Sluggish (adj.) -  moving or reacting slowly or lazily than normal

Example: Troy woke late feeling tired and sluggish.

3.      Initiate (verb) - to start or begin (something) 

Example: Doctors have initiated a series of tests to determine the cause of the problem.

4.      Initiative (noun) - a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem 

Example:  The mayor has proposed a new initiative to improve conditions in our schools. 

5.      Catastrophes (noun) - a terrible disaster 

Example: The earthquake in Japan last March was a catastrophe.

6.   Crippled (verb) - to make (something) unable to work normally : to cause great damage to (something) 

Example: Higher taxes could cripple small businesses.

7.      Itinerary (noun) - a plan or list of the places you will visit on a journey

Example: Our itinerary included stops at several famous temples and shrines.

8.      Fancy (verb) - to like or want something, or want to do something

Example: Sorry, but I don't fancy going out tonight.

9.      Miniature (noun) - exactly like something or someone but much smaller

Example: She's her mother in miniature.

10.  Access(verb) -  to open or load

Example: The file can be accessed by many users at the same time.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.      Discuss the effect of the earthquake on Japan’s tourism.

2.      How is tourism in Japan before and after the earthquake?

3.      What can you say about the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant?