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Episode 43 is a mix of serious topics, innovative solutions, and cultural insights.
First, we address the concerning incident involving an elderly driver in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, who struck four schoolchildren riding bicycles. Tragically, one child lost their life, and others were injured. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about accidents involving elderly drivers in Japan and the importance of road safety awareness.
Next, we explore the development of hayfever-fighting rice in Japan. This genetically modified rice is designed to alleviate symptoms caused by cedar pollen allergies, a widespread issue in Japan. By consuming this rice regularly, individuals may reduce their sensitivity to allergens over time—a promising step forward for those affected by seasonal allergies.
For a lighter topic, we dive into Japanese wordplay and number substitution, known as goroawase. This clever linguistic tradition uses phonetic similarities between numbers and words to create puns, mnemonics, and even memorable phone numbers. For example, "39" can be read as san-kyū, mimicking the English "thank you," while "29" (ni-ku) means "meat," leading to special deals on the 29th of each month.
Finally, we wrap up with our "Word of the Day" segment, introducing another practical term to enrich your Japanese vocabulary.