🍣 すし泥棒事件 Sushi Dorobou Jiken (The Case of the Sushi Thief) こんにちは、みなさん！😎 今回、日本語ミステリーがあります！ This is a fun mystery to help us use Japanese. Each day, we will get new clues, learn useful Japanese and try to solve the mystery together! Don’t worry if you are a beginner. Read the clues, look at the translations and try your best. Little by little, your Japanese will improve 🌱 The mystery is… 🚨 The sushi has disappeared! 🚨 🕵️ 事件 (The Incident) きのうの よる、れいぞうこに おいしい すしが ありました。 でも、きょうの あさ、すしが ありません。 だれかが たべました！ Romaji: Kinou no yoru, reizouko ni oishii sushi ga arimashita. Demo, kyou no asa, sushi ga arimasen. Dareka ga tabemashita! English: Last night, there was delicious sushi in the fridge. But this morning, the sushi is gone. Someone ate it! 😱 Who stole the sushi?! 📚 Mini Japanese Lesson あります / ありません Today’s mystery teaches us: あります (arimasu) = there is / there are We use it for things. ✅ すしが あります。 Sushi ga arimasu. There is sushi. ✅ れいぞうこに すしが あります。 Reizouko ni sushi ga arimasu. There is sushi in the fridge. ありません (arimasen) = there isn’t / there aren’t ❌ すしが ありません。 There is no sushi. ❌ れいぞうこに すしが ありません。 There is no sushi in the fridge. Key Mystery Sentence れいぞうこに すしが ありました。 There was sushi in the fridge. でも、きょう ありません。 But today, there isn't. 👀 あやしいですね… Ayashii desu ne. (Very suspicious…) 👀 容疑者 Yougisha (Suspects) 🍞 ケンさん Ken san 「わたしは パンを たべました。」 Watashi wa pan o tabemashita. (I ate bread.) 🍣 あやさん Aya san 「わたしは すしが だいすきです。」 Watashi wa sushi ga daisuki desu. (I love sushi.) 🍔 マイクさん Maiku san (Mike) 「きのう、とても おなかが すきました。」 Kinou, totemo onaka ga sukimashita. (Yesterday, I got very hungry.) 👩‍🦲 先生 Sensei 「わたしじゃないです！」 Watashi janai desu! (It wasn’t me!) 🎮 Investigation Time! You only have 3 actions to solve the mystery. What should we do first? Vote and I'll let you know the next step tomorrow. 探偵たち、頑張ってください！ Tantei tachi, ganbatte kudasai! Detectives, try your best!! Arigatou, Joe Sensei.

✈️ Why is Japan Airlines suddenly all over the news? Recently, Japan Airlines (JAL) found itself “in hot water” again after a cabin crew alcohol incident caused a flight delay. A flight from Hiroshima to Tokyo was delayed after a flight attendant tested positive for alcohol before duty, breaking company rules. In response, JAL apologised publicly and announced stricter rules, including banning cabin crew alcohol consumption on layovers before return flights. But this story is interesting for another reason: It teaches us something very Japanese. --- 🇯🇵 In Japan, Trust Matters Deeply In many countries, a delayed flight might simply be frustrating. In Japan, it becomes something bigger: a question of trust (信頼・しんらい / shinrai). JAL has had several alcohol-related incidents involving crew over recent years, so public patience has worn thin. Because of this, the airline publicly apologised and moved quickly to show stronger action. In Japanese business culture, companies are often expected to: • apologise publicly • take responsibility quickly • show concrete action to rebuild trust Sometimes executives even take pay cuts to show accountability. JAL leadership previously reduced salaries after earlier alcohol incidents involving pilots. --- 🧠 Why This Matters This reflects something deeply Japanese: Mistakes matter. But what matters even more is: How do you respond afterward? The expectation is not perfection. It’s responsibility. --- 🧠 Language Lesson — Trust & Apology 🙏 すみません。 Sumimasen. I’m sorry / excuse me. ✈️ ひこうきがおくれました。 Hikōki ga okuremashita. The plane was delayed. 🤝 しんらいがだいじです。 Shinrai ga daiji desu. Trust is important. --- 🫵 Your Turn Do you think companies should apologise publicly after mistakes? Or is fixing the problem enough? Answer in English or Japanese 😊 See you next Friday for another Japan Fact Friday 🇯🇵✨

ようこそ！Youkoso!! 🙇‍♂️ Welcome to all our new members over the past week! This community is all about learning Japanese step by step — together. There is a lot to learn, but if we support each other and go step by step, we can do it! **This week’s question is:** 伝統的な日本か現代の日本か？⛩️🏙️ でんとうてきなにほんかげんだいのにほんか？ dentouteki na Nihon ka gendai no Nihon ka? Traditional Japan or modern Japan? Historic temples, samurai history and old traditions… or Bright cities, technology and modern pop culture? This question is open to everyone! **Bonus points:** Answer in Japanese and give a reason 👇 👉 でんとうてきなにほんがすきです。れきしがおもしろいですから。 **Dentouteki na Nihon ga suki desu. Rekishi ga omoshiroi desu kara.** (I like traditional Japan because the history is interesting.) 👉 げんだいのにほんがすきです。にぎやかですから。 **Gendai no Nihon ga suki desu. Nigiyaka desu kara.** (I like modern Japan because it is lively.) Or try a little harder: 👉 わたしはげんだいのにほんのほうがすきです。 **Watashi wa gendai no Nihon no hou ga suki desu.** (I prefer modern Japan.) 👉 きょうとにいってみたいです。 **Kyōto ni itte mitai desu.** (I want to visit Kyoto.) Looking forward to your answers! ありがとう、 **Arigatou,** Joe Sensei 🙏 Welcome New Members: @Uknow Who @Lorea Acebes @Brandon Bayron @Gabriella B @Munkhtulga Chinzorig @Harsh Jain @Matt Gulpan

What Japanese cultural tradition would you most like to experience and why? Misogi (みそぎ) One Japanese cultural tradition I would most like to experience is misogi (禊 / みそぎ). Misogi is a traditional purification practice where people cleanse the body and mind — sometimes by standing under a cold waterfall or entering freezing water while focusing deeply and enduring discomfort. I think it would be a powerful experience. It seems difficult, but also calming. I like the idea of challenging yourself, clearing your mind, and starting fresh. ❓Question: What Japanese cultural tradition would you most like to experience and why? Examples: 🌸 Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) 🎆 Hanabi festivals (fireworks festivals) ♨️ Staying at a traditional onsen ryokan 🥋 Martial arts training 🍵 Tea ceremony ⛩️ Visiting a shrine during New Year (hatsumōde) コメントで教えてください！(Tell us in the comments!)

This week’s fact takes us back more than 1,200 years — to Japan’s most famous mountain. 🗻 The Oldest Recorded Eruption of Mt. Fuji Today, Mount Fuji looks calm, peaceful, and timeless. But, according to historical records, the oldest recorded eruption of Mt. Fuji took place on July 6, 781. At the time, Japan was in the Nara period, long before samurai ruled the country. People living nearby would have seen smoke rise from the mountain and ash fall from the sky. Imagine looking up at what many considered a sacred mountain… …and suddenly seeing fire and smoke. For ancient people, it must have felt terrifying — and perhaps divine. 🗻 A Sacred Mountain For centuries, Fuji has been more than just a mountain. It became: ⛩️ a place of pilgrimage 🧘 a spiritual symbol 🎨 inspiration for artists and poets Many believed climbing Fuji was a way to purify oneself spiritually. Even today, people say: 一度は富士山 (Ichido wa Fujisan) “Climb Mt. Fuji once.” 🌋 Still Active? Yes! Although Fuji has not erupted since 1707 during the Hōei eruption, it is still considered an active volcano. So the peaceful mountain seen in postcards still has power beneath it. 🧠 Language Lesson — Mt. Fuji 🗻 ふじさんはきれいです。 Fujisan wa kirei desu. Mt. Fuji is beautiful. 🗻 ふじさんにのぼりたいです。 Fujisan ni noboritai desu. I want to climb Mt. Fuji. 🌋 ふじさんはかざんです。 Fujisan wa kazan desu. Mt. Fuji is a volcano. 🫵 Your Turn Would you like to climb Mt. Fuji one day? Or would you rather admire it from a distance with a coffee and a good view? 😊 Answer in English or Japanese! See you next Friday for another Japan Fact Friday 🇯🇵✨