Jul.12 Foreign Tourist Problem

※無料のオンライン英会話ミーティングはこちら(Free English Conversation Meeting is here)

Article:

Train Discounts for Tourists Upsets Locals in Japan

In February, officials in the Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima announced plans to offer free train tickets to some foreign tourists.

They wanted to encourage foreign tourists to visit the area by offering free travel on Shinkansen trains running from Fukuoka to Kagoshima. Visitors would need to stay at least one night in Kagoshima prefecture to be able to get the deal.

However, about 600 Japanese residents complained about the plan.

Many said it wasn't fair that foreign visitors would get free travel while Japanese residents would have to pay. The price of a one-way ticket on this Shinkansen train is at least 10,000 yen — more than $62.

Some said that their taxes shouldn't be spent on subsidizing programs like this.

However, officials defended the plan as necessary to increase foreign visitor numbers, which is important for the prefecture's economy. They said the plan could bring about 1.7 billion yen — more than $10.6 million — to the prefecture.

Kagoshima, which is in the south of the island of Kyushu, is still getting fewer tourists than it did before the coronavirus pandemic.

Kagoshima isn't the only place that has upset locals with deals for visitors.

Some places have even ended their discounts in recent years after complaints from residents.

However, some places in Japan, like theme parks and restaurants, have actually started charging higher prices for tourists than for locals. And the government plans to make museums more expensive for foreign tourists starting in 2031.

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Are there similar problems where you live?

Do you think it's fair to offer free train tickets only to foreign tourists? Why or why not?

If you were a resident of Kagoshima, how would you feel about this plan?

Would you visit Kagoshima if you could travel there for free? Why or why not?

Some places charge tourists more than local people. Do you agree with this idea?

Have you ever thought that something was unfair while traveling in another country? What happened?

If you were the governor of Kagoshima, what would you do to increase tourism?

Conversation starters

・貴方が今まで運がいいと思った事を教えて下さい。
　Please tell me about a time you felt lucky.

・公共交通機関で有名人に出会ったことはありますか？
　Have you ever encountered a celebrity on public transportation?

・家でのリラックスタイムに欠かせないものはありますか？
　Is there anything you can’t do without during your relaxation time at home?

・なぜ英会話を勉強していますか？　何かお勧めの上達方法はありますか？
　Why are you studying English conversation? Do you have any recommended ways to improve English conversation skill?

・何か最近身の回りで起こった興味深い出来事やニュースはありますか？
　Has anything interesting happened around you recently, like events or news?

・最近ハマっている趣味やアクティビティはありますか？
　Have you gotten into any new hobbies or activities recently?

・昔から変わらない自分の性格や癖ってありますか？
　Do you have any personality traits or habits that haven't changed since you were young?

・最近買ったお勧めの物はありますか？
　Do you have any recommended items you've bought recently?

・何か最新のテクノロジーで驚いたことはありますか？　もしくは最新の機能を持った商品やサービスを購入したり利用したりしましたか？
　Have you been surprised by any recent technologies? Or have you purchased or used any products or services with the latest features?

・何かお勧めもしくは役に立つウェブサイトやスマホアプリはありますか？
　Do you have any recommended or useful websites or smartphone apps?
 

Jul.5 Nursing Home and Babies

※無料のオンライン英会話ミーティングはこちら(Free English Conversation Meeting is here)

Article:

Nursing Home Hires Babies to Make People Smile

A nursing home in Japan is looking for new employees to keep its residents company.

There is one main requirement: they must be babies.

Parents of children under the age of 4 are encouraged to apply for the "job" at Moyai Seiyukai nursing home in Kitakyushu city, Fukuoka prefecture.

The only thing the babies have to do is make the residents smile. And like any other job, they will be paid — in diapers and milk.

The job isn't too demanding: the babies can come to work and take breaks when they want, according to a contract that must be signed by an adult.

Kimie Gondo, who runs the nursing home, told RKB News that she thought of the idea after seeing how happy the residents were when her grandchildren and the children of other staff members visited the home.

According to CNN, the program started with one baby in 2021. Now, it has more than 30 children.

The nursing home has about 120 residents. The babies' main job is to go on walks with them or spend time with them in other ways.

The program has had great results, Gondo said.

"Even the people who usually don't speak much and don't smile a lot or don't move, as soon as they see the babies, their facial expressions get brighter," Gondo told CNN.

And the program isn't only helping the residents.

Parents speaking to RKB News said it's a good way for them to meet other parents, and it gives their children an opportunity to learn from older people.

Questions:

What do you think about this article?

Do you want to use this type of nursing home in the future?

If you are parents of children under the age of 4, do you like to apply for the job at this nursing home?

What are good points about this type of nursing home?

What are concerns about this type of nursing home?

Do you have any worries about aging?

How would you like to spend your time after retirement? or do you have any advice about life after retirement?