Support us on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/smalltalkjapan Articles from this week's episode Japan junior high students average 12% correct answers in English oral test https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/9ed466e60cbe-japan-jr-high-kids-average-12-correct-answers-in-english-oral-test.html Over 140 Japan-born foreign minors to get special permission to stay https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/6e5921c78c2a-over-140-japan-born-foreign-minors-to-get-special-permission-to-stay.html Japan sushi chain drops suit against teen over soy sauce bottle prank https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/b34369d0dfd4-japan-sushi-chain-drops-suit-against-teen-over-licking-soy-bottle.html Japan LDP members' photos of study tour in France spark online controversy - The Mainichi https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230801/p2a/00m/0na/005000c Decapitated head in Sapporo case was filmed at home: source https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/c443c2a78b03-decapitated-head-in-sapporo-case-was-filmed-at-home-source.html Japanese figure skating icon Yuzuru Hanyu announces marriage https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/5c952ffd6a5a-breaking-news-japanese-figure-skating-icon-yuzuru-hanyu-announces-marriage.html Typhoon over Okinawa kills 1, leaves third of homes without power https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/ebf5d8832d49-powerful-typhoon-approaches-japans-okinawa-leaves-1-dead.html Halloween "Joker" attacker gets 23 years for Tokyo train stabbing, fire https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/07/5efe99cfc327-halloween-joker-attacker-gets-23-yrs-for-tokyo-train-stabbing-fire.html Locals warn Mt. Fuji-climbing visitors to take challenge seriously https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/b4cd19b75343-locals-warn-mt-fuji-climbing-visitors-to-take-challenge-seriously.html Japan eyes new system to fine cyclists for traffic violations https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2023/08/bb87f511e85a-japan-eyes-new-system-to-fine-cyclists-for-traffic-violations.html Japan gov't sticks to plan to scrap health insurance cards in fall 2024 - The Mainichi https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230803/p2a/00m/0na/022000c ‘Barbenheimer’ memes trigger anger in atomic-bombed Japan - The Japan Times https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2023/08/02/film/barbie-oppenheimer-meme-backlash/ 7-Eleven apologises for cockroaches in onigiri rice balls | SoraNews24 -Japan News- https://soranews24.com/2023/08/05/7-eleven-apologises-for-cockroaches-in-onigiri-rice-balls/ Brand-new Pikachu manhole covers coming to Japanese city to celebrate Pokémon World Championships | SoraNews24 -Japan News- https://soranews24.com/2023/08/05/brand-new-pikachu-manhole-covers-coming-to-japanese-city-to-celebrate-pokemon-world-championships/ Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely | SoraNews24 -Japan News- https://soranews24.com/2023/08/02/sales-of-japans-most-convenient-train-ticket-shopping-payment-cards-suspended-indefinitely/ X https://twitter.com/moroyon/status/1685550885278302208 Check out our sponsors! STAPLETON 英会話: https://stapleton.me/ Online classes! DROPS Hair: http://drops-hair.jp/ If you are interested in the equipment we use, check out the links below! mic https://amzn.to/3gtJapQ mixer XLR USB https://amzn.to/2XtQ8SL camera https://amzn.to/2ZwsLuu headphones https://amzn.to/2TAYt64 amp https://amzn.to/3ehnfQM