TCJ Blog

The Paris Olympics and the best drama at TV's Emmy Awards “SHOGUN” have brought renewed global attention to Japanese martial arts. This is because they are not merely acts of brute conflict relying on sheer power, but disciplines rooted in profound spirituality, supported by etiquette, respect, and relentless training. Today, we introduce Japanese words commonly used in daily conversations that have been cherished by the Japanese people for generations.

Do you enjoy anime? While studying with textbooks is an effective and essential method for learning Japanese, when you start to feel tired, watching anime can offer a pleasant and enjoyable way to continue your studies. Today, we’ll explore three anime that are perfect for learning Japanese. Improve your Japanese skills while enjoying these must-watch shows!

For many learners, listening is one of the most difficult parts of learning Japanese. Even if you’ve mastered reading, it can still be challenging to keep up with the natural speed of native speakers in daily conversations. Whether you plan to live or work in Japan, strong listening skills are essential. Even those studying Japanese as a hobby often wish they could enjoy anime or TV shows without subtitles. Today, we’ll explain some effective methods for improving your Japanese listening skills in a clear and easy way.

The way Japanese uses “yes” (hai) and “no” (iie) is quite unique. For example, to the question “Have you finished your meal?” the answer would be “Hai, I’ve finished.” But even to the opposite question, “Haven’t you finished your meal?” the reply is still “Hai, I haven’t finished yet.” In Japanese, “hai” can be used to answer both types of questions, even though their meanings are completely opposite.

N1, the highest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), is difficult even for Japanese people. It is sometimes said that “even Japanese people find it difficult to pass the N1 test,” and that “there are words and grammar that we don't usually use,” but this is not true at all. However, this is not the case at all. You can pass the test if you study the important points. In this article, we will explain the format and sample questions of the JLPT N1.