This week’s fact is about a Japanese invention that changed gaming forever. 🟡 Japan Fact Friday — On This Day: Pac-Man Was Released! On this day in 1980, one of the most famous video games in history was released in Japan: 🟡 Pac-Man Created by Japanese designer Toru Iwatani, Pac-Man was very different from most arcade games of the time. Back then, arcades were filled with: 🚀 spaceships 💥 shooting games ⚔️ combat Iwatani wanted to create something friendlier — a game that women, couples, and families might enjoy too. Then came the inspiration. Legend says he was eating pizza when he removed one slice and noticed the shape: A circle with a mouth. Simple. Memorable. Perfect. But here’s a fun Japanese language connection too. The original Japanese name was: パックマン (Pakkuman) This came from the Japanese onomatopoeia: ぱくぱく (paku paku) “Paku paku” describes the sound or action of opening and closing your mouth while eating enthusiastically. Think: 😋 chomp chomp 🍜 eating eagerly 🍙 happily munching food 👻 From Japan to the World Released in Japan on May 22, 1980, Pac-Man quickly became a global sensation. Players guided Pac-Man through mazes, eating dots while avoiding colourful ghosts. Simple to play. Impossible to forget. More than 40 years later, Pac-Man remains one of the most recognisable game characters ever created. 🧠 Why This Matters Pac-Man is a perfect example of Japanese creativity: taking something small — even a sound effect like ぱくぱく — and turning it into something iconic. It also shows how fun and expressive Japanese onomatopoeia can be. Japanese has sounds for everything! 🧠 Language Lesson — Onomatopoeia! 😋 ぱくぱくたべます。 Paku paku tabemasu. I eat enthusiastically / munch away. 🎮 ゲームをします。 Geemu o shimasu. I play games. 🟡 パックマンをしっていますか。 Pakkuman o shitte imasu ka? Do you know Pac-Man? 🫵 Your Turn What’s your favourite Japanese sound word? Or… what was your favourite retro game? 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. Every bit of practice helps, so let’s keep improving together! This week’s question is: さけかおちゃか？🍶🍵 sake ka ocha ka? Sake or tea? A relaxing drink with friends after a long day… or A calming cup of tea and a quiet moment? This question is open to everyone! Bonus points: Answer in Japanese and give a reason 👇 👉 おちゃがすきです。おいしいですから。 Ocha ga suki desu. Oishii desu kara. (I like tea because it’s delicious.) 👉 さけがすきです。たのしいですから。 Sake ga suki desu. Tanoshii desu kara. (I like sake because it’s fun.) 👉 わたしはおちゃのほうがすきです。 Watashi wa ocha no hou ga suki desu. (I prefer tea.) 👉 にほんでさけをのんでみたいです。 Nihon de sake o nonde mitai desu. (I want to try drinking sake in Japan.) Looking forward to your answers! ありがとう、 Arigatou, Joe Sensei 🙏 Welcome: @Dwayne McPherson @Hande Akman @Matthew Kuhn @Irene Hamelarin @Yaman Yumrukçal @Denisse Ponce @Adaugo Nzeadi @Kim Fischer @Mitsuki Hanamichi @Sergio Martínez @Reno Vohad

Let's Go Karaoke! | JFF Theater https://share.google/1Cdyvw5b4YaSVkRzp みんな、映画を見ましょうか？ Minna, eiga o mimashou ka? Everyone, shall we watch a movie? Let's watch a film and discuss it together. This month's film is: カラオケ行こ！Let's go Karaoke! Follow the above link, watch the film for free and we'll discuss it and learn from it together on the last Tuesday evening of the month (Sydney time) The live call link: https://www.skool.com/live/GQRxJljhHtv 見たことがありますか？ Mita koto ga arimasu ka? Have you seen it?

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. Keep showing up, and your Japanese will keep improving! This week’s question is: カラオケかライブコンサートか？🎤🎶 karaoke ka raibu konsāto ka? Karaoke or live concert? Sing your heart out yourself… or Feel the energy of a live performance? This question is open to everyone! Bonus points: Answer in Japanese and give a reason 👇 👉 カラオケがすきです。たのしいですから。 👉 ライブコンサートがすきです。すごいですから。 Looking forward to your answers! ありがとう、 Joe Sensei 🙏 Welcome: @Jarred Katzenberg @Mary Phan @Michelle Gabriel @Kinoshita Koichi @Karen Teh @Kateryna Naichenko @Jasmin Baclao @Stephanie Leung @Carlo Tassone @Marco Brun del Re @Cristiane Pallares @Aleš Nemet @Battulga Batuka @Putra M @Eddie L

Hi I'm Brandon, from Arkansas I always had a fascination with Japan i watched over 600 animes and I really wanna go visit over there one day, my life goal is to eventually move there if ever possible, I wanna get to where I'm fully fluent in Japanese I'm a beginner at it so I have a long way to go so hope I can get help from the community.