Yumi has been on a cleaning kick. She’s always been tidy, but recently, she’s gotten serious about it. Japan has very clean streets despite (or perhaps because of) the fact that there are few public trash cans. Is there some connection with Japanese history and mythology to explain this? KEY VOCABULARY: 掃除(そうじ) cleaning ピカピカ with a glitter; with a sparkle; shiny and new 磨(みが)いています polishing; shining 主婦(しゅふ) housewife; homemaker 言葉(ことば)に触発(しょくはつ)されて inspired by words [言葉 (words) に (by) 触発 (triggering; inspiring) されて (passive)] 管理(かんり) control; management 整理(せいり) sorting; arrangement; putting in order 真剣(しんけん)に earnestly; in earnest 隙間(すきま) crevice; crack; gap 面倒(めんどう)くさい bothersome; tiresome 綿棒(めんぼう) cotton swab 竹串(たけぐし) bamboo skewer 神道(しんとう) Shinto 境内(けいだい) grounds (of shrine); compound 神話(しんわ) mythology; legend 日本(にほん)の国旗(こっき) Japanese flag 清潔(せいけつ) cleanliness; hygienic For upper beginners to intermediates. Listen to the short podcast and then answer the comprehension questions on the website: https://thejapanesepage.com/nihongonotane-index/ Take a quiz on this episode here: https://thejapanesepage.com/podcast-nihongonotane-99 If you are a Makoto+ member, you can find the transcript, English translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF for printing: https://MakotoPlus.com/podcast-nihongonotane-99-m -- Become a Makoto+ member and get show notes with a complete transcript, translation, key vocabulary, and a downloadable PDF. www.MakotoPlus.com

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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