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Many elements of Japanese culture are prevalent in American life. People…
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power.
Japan has the second highest life expectancy in the world.
Japan’s bullet train has never veered from the precise time of arrival or departure by more than 36 seconds a day since it was launched in 1964.
The world’s deepest underwater mailbox is located in Susami, Japan. It’s 30 feet underwater and has collected more than 32,000 pieces of mail since 1999.
Japan sells ice cream that doesn’t melt for several hours. Japanese scientists discovered that using strawberry extract to make ice cream achieves this result.
Cars drive on the left. Japan has a very extensive and efficient public transport system, and it’s very easy to get around. Buses are the most inexpensive way to make long journeys and the only form of transport to some rural and mountain destinations.
Trains are the most efficient way to travel around the country. The bullet train (Shinkansen) network runs all the way from the southern tip of Kyūshū (the southernmost of Japan's major islands) up to Hokkaidō (its northernmost).
There are also two types of long-distance trains. The limited-express trains, or LEX (Tokkyu), branch off the Shinkansen system and are the fastest after the bullet trains, making a limited number of stops. The slightly slower express trains (Kyuko) make more stops. There are also rapid express trains (Shin-Kaisoku) and the even slower rapid trains (Kaisoku). Commuters can take local trains (Futsu), which stop at all stations.
Major cities have subway networks that are signposted in English.
Good morning: Ohayou Gozaimasu (Formal, use with co-workers or strangers)
Ohayou (Use with friends and family)
Hello or Good afternoon: Konnichiwa
This is used for strangers or formal situations, not with friends and family.
Ah, Mr./Mrs. _: Ahh, _-san:
Greeting someone with just “Ah!” and their name, followed by the appropriate suffix (“-san” is good to use for most people. You typically follow the greeting with a question, like asking about the weather.
Good Weather, huh!: Ii Tenki desu ne:
How are you?: Genki desu ka
This phrase is only used when it’s been quite a while since you’ve seen the person.
Good evening: Konbanwa (formal)
Goodnight: Oyasumi Nasai (formal)
Oyasumi (friends and family)
See You Later or Goodbye: Ja Mata
Goodbye: sayounara
Sayounara has a strong sense of finality, like you may not see a person again. Instead, say ja ne: (see you), baibai (bye-bye) and o-genki de (take care).
Thank you: Arigatou Gozaimasu
With friends, you can say arigatou or domo.
I’m sorry: Gomen Nasai
Gomen ne is more casual
My name is: Namae wa _
I am: desu
Add anything to describe yourself before desu which means “is, to be.” You could say Ni juu nana sai desu: “I am 27 years old”, Amerikajin desu: “I am American.”
Are you okay?: Daijoubu desu ka
You can answer, Hai, daijoubu desu: “Yes, I’m fine” or Iie, chotto warui desu: “No, I’m feeling a bit sick”
Wow! Or Amazing: Sugoi
Reply sugoi to most everything that’s positive to sound like a native.
How much is it?: Ikura desu ka
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