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The Mainichi
an hour ago
- General
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Japan kindergartens change Father's, Mother's Day to 'family day'
TOKYO -- Father's Day this year in Japan is on June 15. But many kindergartens and day care centers are now having "family day" instead of Mother's Day and Father's Day. This change is because families in Japan are different now. There are many single-parent families. In Japan, about 10% of families with children have one parent. Parents shared their feelings about "family day." One person wrote online, "We don't have a dad at home, so I was happy about family day." Another person said, "They think about each family's situation, so I was really glad." Asahi day care center in Ube city changed to family day three years ago. In the past, children made gifts for Mother's Day and Father's Day separately. Now, they celebrate only one special day in late May. Children make gifts and give them to someone important like their parents, grandparents, or family friends. The Poppins Nursery School group, which has many day cares around Japan, also has family day events in May or June. Children make gifts for family members and sometimes show family pictures. But not all places agree. Some kindergartens and day care centers still have Mother's Day and Father's Day. Single parents also have different feelings. One mother wrote, "My child made a gift and drew my face for Father's Day. It made me happy." Another parent said, "I'm a single parent, but I like Mother's Day and Father's Day separately." Some libraries and shops are also changing. Omori-Minami Library in Tokyo used to show children's drawings for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Now, it has a "family portrait exhibition" instead. A library worker said, "We changed because there are many kinds of families now." (Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Digital News Group) Vocabulary single-parent family: a family where children live with one parent celebrate: to have a special day or event for a happy reason gift: something nice you give to another person portrait: a drawing of a person's face
The Mainichi
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: Japan's hot summers change festival schedules
TOKYO -- Very hot summers in Japan are changing famous summer events. Some festivals now happen in spring or autumn because of extreme heat. Tokyo's Adachi Fireworks Festival usually happens in late July. But last year, very hot weather caused problems. Workers and visitors felt sick from heat. One person went to the hospital. This year, the event was set for May 31 instead. Many people agree with the change. Families with young children say it is safer and easier for them now. In Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, the Kujirabune festival usually happens in mid-August. It is a traditional event more than 200 years old and is even recognized by UNESCO. This year, it will happen in late September. This is because many people in the festival are elderly. The festival group wants everyone to be safe from the extreme heat. Japan's Tohoku area also has changes. Fukushima Prefecture has a famous horse festival called Soma Nomaoi. But last July, very hot weather caused the death of one horse. So now, they have the festival in May. In the Kyushu area, Kitakyushu moved its big summer festival from August to September. Saga city changed the date of their summer festival too. However, some festivals need to stay on their regular dates. The Tanabata star festival in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, is always around July 7 every year. Organizers say changing its date would lose its meaning. Instead, they will add mist fans outside to help people feel cool. (Japanese original by Shuji Ozaki, Digital News Group) Vocabulary extreme: very strong; more than normal elderly: older people organizer: the person or group that plans an event
