From NHK News Easy: https://share.google/OzwcSXIqDYwft5HT5 Australia has introduced a new law that began on December 10: ➡️ Children under 16 are not allowed to use social media (SNS). This includes major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X — a total of 10 services. The government says the goal is to protect children from harmful content, such as inappropriate images, videos, and dangerous online behaviour. SNS companies are responsible for blocking access for under-16 users. If a company fails to follow the law, it could face a fine of up to: 💰 49.5 million AUD (about 5 billion yen) Parents and children will not be fined — the responsibility is on the companies. --- 🈶 Useful Vocabulary Japanese Romaji English 法律（ほうりつ） hōritsu law 利用（りよう） riyō use 危険（きけん） kiken danger 守る（まもる） mamoru to protect 違反（いはん） ihan violation 罰金（ばっきん） bakkin fine / penalty SNS（エスエヌエス） SNS social media --- 🧠 Key Phrase (Beginner Friendly) 〜てはいけません = “must not / not allowed to” Examples: 子どもはSNSを使ってはいけません。 → Children must not use SNS. ここで写真をとってはいけません。 → You must not take photos here. --- 🗣️ Simple Japanese Reading (N5–N4) オーストラリアでは、16さいいないの子どもは SNSを使ってはいけません。 かいしゃは、子どもがSNSをりようできないようにします。 これは、子どもを危険（きけん）から守るための法律です。 --- 🫵 Your Turn — Easy Question Do you think this law is a good idea? Why or why not? (English or Japanese — both OK!) You can answer in simple Japanese: いいと思います。こどもをまもることが大切です。 むずかしいと思います。SNSはべんりです。 日本でもひつようだと思いますか？ Write your thoughts below — I’ll reply to each comment! 📱🇦🇺✨

✏️ Goal: Write a diary entry in Japanese every week 🗒️ Level: N5 → N4 → N3 --- 🗣️ Mini Lesson: 「今日」「さっき」 今日（きょう）kyou today さっき sakki a little while ago / earlier today. 📝 Examples 今日はとても忙しいです。 Kyou wa totemo isogashii desu. → I am busy today. さっき本を読みました。 Sakki hon o yomimashita. → I read a book a little while ago. --- ✅ N5 / Beginner + romaji 今日、仕事でつかれました。 Kyou, shigoto de tsukaremashita. Today, work was stressful. ストレスがありましたから、さっき、本を読みました。 Sutoresu ga arimashita kara, saki, hon o yomimashita. I was stressed, so just before I was reading a book. 読むと、気もちが楽になりました。 Yomu to, kimochi ga raku ni narimashita. I read and I became at ease. リラックスできてよかったです。 Rirakkusu dekite yokatta desu. It's good I was able to relax. --- ✅ N4 今日は仕事が多くて、とてもつかれました。 ストレスがあったので、本を読んで気分を落ち着かせました。 少し読むだけでリラックスできました。 --- ✅ N3 さっきまで仕事が忙しく、少しストレスを感じていました。 そこで、本を読む時間を取って、気持ちを落ち着かせました。 静かな読書の時間は、いいリセットになります。 --- 💬 Vocabulary Japanese English さっき a little while ago / earlier 疲れる（つかれる） to get tired 落ち着く（おちつく） to calm / settle 気分（きぶん） mood / feeling 余裕（よゆう） mental space / breathing room 締め切り（しめきり） deadline --- 🫵 Your Turn さっき、＿＿＿しました。 Sakki, ______ shimashita. 今日、＿＿＿をしました。 Kyou, ____ o shimashita. ✍️ Post your diary entry below, and I’ll correct it and help you improve 📚✨ Or just let us know what you do to relax? 🍵⛱️ I can translate your post into Japanese, if you like.

Today’s kanji is 人, one of the most essential characters in Japanese. It appears in words about people, nationality, and identity. 🔤 Meaning person people human someone 🗣️ Readings ひと (hito) – common everyday reading じん (jin) – nationality / “person of” にん (nin) – counting people 🧩 Common Words 人（ひと） – person 日本人（にほんじん） – Japanese person 一人（ひとり） – one person / alone 二人（ふたり） – two people 人間（にんげん） – human being 人口（じんこう） – population 大人（おとな） – adult (irregular reading) 📝 Simple Example Sentences 1. 日本人です。 → I am Japanese. / They are Japanese. 2. 今日は人が多いです。 → There are a lot of people today. 3. 一人で行きます。 → I’ll go alone. 4. あの人は先生です。 → That person is a teacher. ✨ Memory Tip The shape looks like a person standing—legs apart. Once you see “a person” in the shape, you’ll never forget it. You can try writing it, upload a photo or video and get feedback! :)

Big congratulations to Jordan（ジョウダン） — who has officially reached Daimyō level! 👏✨ Jordan has earned his place not just through effort, but by contributing to the spirit of learning together. He was one of the attendees at the first ever Ocha and Chat Weekly Live Call. 🗾🌊 Province Claimed: 伊豆（いず）— Izu Including the 伊豆七島（いずしちとう）— The Seven Isles of Izu Jordan has claimed Izu, a province known for: rugged coastlines volcanic islands hot springs and its deep connection to the sea By claiming Izu and the Seven Isles of Izu, Jordan becomes guardian of one of Japan’s most dramatic and beautiful regions — a place shaped by nature, resilience, and isolation. A strong and fitting choice. 🈶 Mini Japanese 大名（だいみょう） – Daimyō 伊豆（いず） – Izu 伊豆七島（いずしちとう） – The Seven Isles of Izu おめでとうございます！ – Congratulations! 👉 ジョウダンさん、大名レベル到達おめでとうございます！ 🌱 What This Represents Daimyō are not just learners — they are pillars of the community. Please join me in congratulating ジョウダンさん 🎉 @Jordan Keener Who will be the next Daimyō to rise? Which province would you claim? おめでとうございます！

We’re here - the Grand Final! After weeks of voting, debating, and some very hard choices, only two remain. The Grand Final: 🐉 Dragon Ball vs ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist Legacy versus mastery. Roots versus refinement. Only one will be crowned our community’s favourite anime. 🐉 Dragon Ball (ドラゴンボール) This is where it all began for countless fans. Dragon Ball didn’t just succeed—it defined what shōnen anime could be. Why it reached the Grand Final: Created the blueprint for training arcs, power growth, and rivalries A sense of adventure, humour, and joy that spans generations Characters that became global cultural icons An influence so deep that modern anime still echoes it This is anime history. Without Dragon Ball, the landscape looks completely different. ⚙️ Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師) A series often spoken about in terms of perfection. Fullmetal Alchemist balances action, philosophy, emotion and politics with rare precision. Why it reached the Grand Final: Exceptionally tight storytelling from start to finish Deep themes of sacrifice, morality, and responsibility A richly realised world and unforgettable cast A story that resonates just as strongly on rewatch This is anime at its most complete—crafted with care and purpose. 🗳️ THE FINAL VOTE This is it. Do you choose the foundational legend that shaped the genre? Or the storytelling masterpiece that refined it? 💬 Cast your final vote and share why—this is the one worth defending. 勝つのはどっちだ！？ (Which one will be crowned!?) 🏆🔥