Learn Japanese Online - JOI Teachers blog

Japan earthquakes and seismic activity Japan is located in a high seismic activity, near three tectonic plates. Japan experiences about 400 earthquakes every day, although the vast majority are very small and detectable only using specialist apparatus. But every now and again, a large earthquake does occur and if you happen to be travelling in Japan at the time, or living here, it is important ...

The Japanese school year The academic year at Japanese schools normally begins in April and ends the following March, and not in September like in the United States and other countries. This means that Spring season is the start of school, and not Autumn. However, many universities in Japan have started allowing for Autumn enrollment as well as Spring enrollment to increase their competitiveness...

Examinations in Japan The Japanese education system is dominated by examinations and a test-taking culture. As is common in East Asian and South East Asian societies, the competition of getting into higher education creates a “exam hell” that starts in the middle school years and continues into high school. The culmination is the university entrance challenge. There are a number of frightening s...

土砂災害 Hiroshima's landslide disaster By　IGARASHI Maki   2014年8月１９日、広島県には大雨が降りました。すごい雷と大雨で、停電したり、断水したりする地域もありました。私の家も一時、電気やテレビが消えたりして、不安な夜を過ごしました。 翌朝、テレビをつけると私の家から車で１０分ほどのところがニュースに出てきました。１９日深夜から２０日未明にかけて、土砂災害が発生したのです。大雨が降って、水を大量に含んだ山が崩れ、山の土や岩、木や水が流れて、家や道路を飲み込んでしまいました。 この災害でたくさんの人がなくなり、みんなが心を痛めています。消防、警察、自衛隊が復旧に全力を挙げています。ボランティアも動いていて、泥をかき分けたり、避難所では学校給食の調理員が温かい食事を提供したりしています。 万が一の災害...