先週の隠れん語WINNERさんです！

Congratulations！！

前回のJewelryに引続き今回はJewels 宝石です。

日本語での呼び方と同じですが、英語での発音はなかなか難しいと思いませんか？特にEmeraldやAmethystなんかは関西弁みたいな日本語英語になってしまいます💦

Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald / Diamond / Amethyst / Onyx / Topaz / Quartz / Opal / Cubic Zirconia

前々回の隠れん語WINNERさんです！

Congratulations！！

５月３週目のテーマは Jewelry ジュエリーです。

JewelryとAccessoryの違いはご存知でしたか？

Jewelryは貴金属や宝石が使われた物で、Accessoryはプラスチックなどで作られたカジュアルな物を指すそうです。 

・Ring　・Toe Ring　・Necklace　・Pendant　・Bracelet　・Anklet　・Choker　・Broach　・Tiara　・Earring

Ta-da~

Please congratulate David on becoming a father of this beautiful babygirl!

See more pictures below!

 - Discussion Week 8 -

- Friday the 27th of May

!! NOTICE !!

David's topic from last week has been moved to this week.

!! NOTICE !!

 - Homosexuality in Japan -

As for David's for self-selected topic, Homosexuality in Japan is not very open or completely accepted in Japan yet.

What is Japan's view on Homosexuality?

What is YOUR view on Homosexuality?

Does Japan need to change it's views and/or laws?

Should Gay Marriage be made legal in Japan?  

What do you think about the idea of children being raised by a homosexual couple?

Lets talk about that

- Sunday the 29th of May

 - Organ and Blood donation - 

Are you registered to donate your organs if you pass away?

If you aren't, can you tell me why not?

How about blood donation? I donate blood at every possible opportunity!

Other than possible medical issues/limitations, why don't you donate blood? Its easy, it doesn't hurt, and you could help someone in need.

What kinds of issues are there surrounding the idea of blood and organ donation in Japan?

What do you know about the issue that started in 1968 when Mr. Wada performed Japan's first heart surgery?

What other issues could prevent Japanese people from wanting to donate their organs?

Lets talk about that.

先週の隠れん語WINNERさんです！

Congratulations！！

1週目の隠れん語はNational/Public Holidays(Japan)です！今年のゴールデンウイークはとってもいいお天気が続きましたね！また楽しいご報告お待ちしております♪

Constitution Memorial Day：憲法記念日

Children's Day：子供の日

Greenery Day：緑の日

Marine Day：海の日

New Year's Eve：大晦日

New Year's Day：元旦

Respect for the Elderly Day ：敬老の日

The Emperor's Birthday ：天皇誕生日

Coming of Age Day ：成人の日

Culture Day ：文化の日

2週目のテーマは Success 成功 です。

一言で成功すると言っても英語でこんなに言い方があるんですね！ぜひ使ってみたいものです♪

・ To Win   ・ To Pass   ・ To succeed   ・ To be Victorious   ・ To be #1

・ To take 1st Place   ・ To be the Victor   ・ To Triumph   

・ To be the Champion  ・ To be Top Dog

 - Discussion Week 7 -

- Friday the 20th of May

 - Homosexuality in Japan - 

As for David's for self-selected topic, Homosexuality in Japan is not very open or completely accepted in Japan yet.

What is Japan's view on Homosexuality?

What is YOUR view on Homosexuality?

Does Japan need to change it's views and/or laws?

Should Gay Marriage be made legal in Japan?  

What do you think about the idea of children being raised by a homosexual couple?

Lets talk about that

- Sunday the 22nd of May

 - G-7 and the planned Ise Shrine Tour - 

In the news recently, it has been revealed that there will be a tour of the Ise Grand Shrine. Abe  will be joined by world leaders from The US, England, France, Canada, Germany and Italy.

Some think that this is a good idea, and that the fact that world leaders will visit this area could help boost tourism, however, other people think the tour, may also include an area of the shrine that is not usually open to the public, which may seem like religion is being brought into politics. If this is true, Article 20 of the Constitution states, "The state is prohibited from granting privileges or political authority to a religion..."

Do you think this tour is a bad idea?

Do you think having so many world leaders in one place is a wise idea?

Could it add an extra incentive for our neighbours North Korea to consider doing something very silly(attack)?

Lets talk about that.

先週の隠れん語WINNERさんです！

Congratulations！！

今回のテーマは Stationary 文房具 です。

知っているようで、蛍光ペンやボールペンって何だっけ？？？ってなりませんか？どんどんボキャブラリーを増やしていきましょう♪

Pencil：鉛筆 / Pencil Sharpener：鉛筆削り / Mechanical Pencil：シャープペンシル / Ballpoint Pen：ボールペン / Eraser：消しゴム / Stapler：ホッチキス / Highlighter Pen：蛍光ペン / Ruller：ものさし / Scissors：はさみ / Pencil Case：筆箱

 - Discussion Week 6 -

- Friday the 13th of May

 - Fukushima - 

Recently, we talked about the earthquake that happened 5 years ago.

Even now, the damaged nuclear reactor comes up in the news very often.

Apparently, even the 'ice walls' that should have been keeping the contaminated water from leaking, is not actually water-tight.

Will the nuclear reactor ever be fixed?

What effects from the meltdown still exist now?

How long will it take till the residents of that area are able to live there again, and what is being done for them now?

Lets talk about that

- Sunday the 15th of May

 - Drones/Privacy - 

In the news for the last couple of years, Drones have been appearing more and more, with all kinds of uses and applications.

Mostly though, they have cameras attached and are able to take photos or video that you would normally need a helicopter for.

But of course, this also means that they can take videos and photos of things and places that you normally would want to keep private.

What do you think about Drones and other upcoming technology?

I also recently saw a coat hook in the news. Wait, why did I mention a coat hook?Because the coat hook actually contained a camera, and was placed in a women's bathroom. Cameras and other small devices are so compact and so easy to hide these days, are you worried about being watched?

Link to the coat hook camera article: http://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/04/30/tweet-about-hidden-camera-hooks-in-japanese-restrooms-sparks-anger-online/

Lets talk about that.

We had a very good time at the BBQ!

Thank you for all of you who joined in!

Please enjoy more pictures below!

 - Discussion Week ５ -

- Friday the 6th of May

 - Whaling - 

Japan is one of the last nations in the world to insist on continuing with a whaling program.

Do you think Japan needs whale meat these days anymore?

I know it's traditional, and Japan has been whaling for many many years, but even so, If over-fishing causes some whales to go extinct, what will Japan do then?

What do you think is right or wrong, should Japan continue it's whaling program?

Lets talk about that

- Sunday the 8th of May

 - Censorship - 

A short while ago, you might have heard about a female Japanese artist who created a kayak in the shape of her own genitals. Censorship in Japan dictates that genitals can not be produced or distributed via media/art in Japan.

So theres a legal battle going on as the artist claims that her kayak is an artwork, and not a kind of pornographic material.

Why is this kind of censorship so strongly enforced in Japan, and furthermore, why does it exist at all?

In western countries we have art that depicts genitals, a very famous example is the Statue of David. Why is that O.K? But In Japan it is not?

Also in Japan, there is a penis Festival why is that considered acceptable?

Lets talk about that.