Learn Japanese with Noriko

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In this episode, I explore コンビニ人間Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, focusing on the concept of “normality” in society. I reflect on how the protagonist, Keiko, struggles with being perceived as different from childhood and gradually learns to imitate others in order to fit in. I also discuss how her job at a convenience store provides her with structure and a sense of belonging through clear rules and manuals.
As Keiko reaches her 30s, I explain how societal expectations intensify—questions about marriage, relationships, and career stability become unavoidable. I point out that these pressures are not unique to Japan, but can be found globally. Through this story, I raise an important question: can “normal” and “abnormal” truly be separated, or are they subjective and constantly shifting concepts?
I also highlight the contrast between Keiko and another character, Shiraha, who is also marginalised but in a different way. By comparing them, I show how the novel deepens its critique of societal norms.
Ultimately, I encourage listeners to reflect on personal happiness, social conformity, and the pressures created by cultural expectations. I emphasise that the discomfort we feel in life may not only come from ourselves, but also from society.

あかね的日本語教室『生活で使える日本語オノマトペ』
English Summary：This episode introduces Japanese onomatopoeia through a personal story and quiz-style listening activity. Noriko describes her day off using expressions like ぶらぶら, ザーザー, ビュービュー, ゴロゴロ, and だらだら, showing how they add vivid detail and make Japanese more natural.
She also reviews a practical onomatopoeia book, highlighting useful features such as manga for context, podcasts for listening practice, and a reference section for quick review. She stresses that learners should connect vocabulary to real-life experiences to truly use it, not just memorize it.
Noriko encourages learners to choose study methods that suit their style and shares her own approach of starting with listening. The episode ends with a novel example featuring ピンピン, reinforcing how onomatopoeia appears in real conversations.

In this episode, Noriko shares a mix of personal reflections, language learning experiences, and cultural insights. She begins by talking about rereading Kokoro by Natsume Soseki, noting how differently it feels compared to when she first read it years ago. Despite struggling with the old writing style, she’s determined to finish it. She also mentions her progress in learning Korean, especially improving her reading skills.
The main topic focuses on Japanese words newly added to the Oxford English Dictionary. Noriko introduces several examples, such as “washlet,” “senpai,” and “mottainai,” explaining how some retain their original meanings while others evolve globally. She highlights how language reflects culture, emphasizing “mottainai” as a uniquely Japanese value now spreading worldwide.
Overall, the episode blends language, culture, and personal growth in an engaging and thoughtful way.

Reflective Questions（振り返り質問）
あなたは昔読んだ本をもう一度読みたいと思いますか？

自分と違う性格の人と話すのは好きですか？

あなたの国の言葉で世界に広がっているものはありますか？

Discussion Questions（ディスカッション質問）
言葉が文化を表すという考えについてどう思いますか？

外国語として使われるときに意味が変わることは問題だと思いますか？

Want to take your listening further? Join Japanese Together — our Podcast Conversation Club is the perfect place to discuss each episode and connect with fellow learners!
💬 投げかけの質問（Discussion Questions）
Manchester のどんなところに一番興味を持ちましたか？

あなたの国にも「産業で発展した都市」はありますか？

歴史と今がつながっている場所に行ったことがありますか？

English Summary : Discover the real story of Manchester, England in this episode of Japanese with Noriko.
Known for the Industrial Revolution, football, and working-class culture, Manchester is much more than its stereotypes. In this episode, I share my personal day trip experience, including the stunning John Rylands Library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the UK.
Learn how Manchester became “Cottonopolis,” a global centre of the cotton industry, and how its growth was closely connected to Liverpool through trade, railways, and industry.
I also explore the deeper history behind the city, including the realities of industrialisation, and explain the meaning of the famous Manchester bee symbol — a powerful symbol of hard work, resilience, and community, especially after the 2017 Manchester attack.
If you are interested in UK cities, history, culture, or travel, this episode will give you a deeper perspective on Manchester.

ビートたけし『アナログ』
太宰治『女生徒』
九段理江『Schoolgirl』
坂木司『和菓子とアン』
坂木司『アンと青春』
村田沙耶香『世界99上下』
村田沙耶香『コンビニ人間』
村田沙耶香『消滅世界』
星野道夫『約束の川』
村田沙耶香『消滅世界』
朝井リョウ『時をかけるゆとり』
In this episode of Book Talk with Yuko, Noriko and Yuko talk about several Japanese books they have recently read or want to recommend.
First, Yuko introduces the novel “アナログ” by Beat Takeshi. It is a romantic story about a man and a woman who decide not to exchange contact information and instead meet at the same restaurant every Thursday. The story feels very “analog” in a digital age.
Next, Noriko talks about “Schoolgirl” by Kudan Rie, a short story connected to Dazai Osamu’s “女生徒.” The story explores relationships between three generations of women and touches on modern topics like social media and environmental activism.
Yuko then introduces the “An-chan series” by Sakaki Tsukasa, which takes place in a department store food basement (depachika) and features traditional Japanese sweets. The story focuses on everyday life, human relationships, and personal growth.
Noriko also shares her thoughts about “世界 99” by Sayaka Murata, a dystopian novel that explores society, gender roles, and a mysterious new creature called “Pyokorun.” The book is intense and thought-provoking.
For a calmer reading experience, Yuko recommends “Yakusoku no Kawa” by photographer Hoshino Michio, a book that beautifully describes nature and life in northern regions.
Finally, Noriko talks about the essay “Toki wo Kakeru Yutori” by Asai Ryo, which made her laugh a lot because of its humorous stories about everyday life.
They conclude by encouraging listeners to choose books depending on their mood—sometimes relaxing books, sometimes challenging ones—and invite listeners to join their Japanese Together book club.
恋愛小説 — れんあいしょうせつ — romance novel

連絡先 — れんらくさき — contact information

現代 — げんだい — modern times

会話 — かいわ — conversation

表現 — ひょうげん — expression

読書体験 — どくしょたいけん — reading experience

世代 — せだい — generation

母と娘の関係 —ははとむすめのかんけい — mother-daughter relationship

環境問題 — かんきょうもんだい — environmental issues

和菓子 — わがし — Japanese traditional sweets

デパ地下 — でぱちか — department store food basement

主人公 — しゅじんこう — protagonist

成長 — せいちょう — personal growth

社会 — しゃかい — society

価値観 — かちかん — values

生きづらさ — いきづらさ — difficulty of living / social pressure

自然 — しぜん — nature

写真家 — しゃしんか — photographer

描写 — びょうしゃ — description

癒し — いやし — healing / comfort

エッセイ — えっせい — essay

日常 — にちじょう — everyday life

失敗談 — しっぱいだん — story about a mistake