Japanese Princess Invites Royal Reporters to Dinner Amid Public Debate
Listen to the story
Princess Akiko is a member of Japan's imperial family. She recently invited reporters who write about the imperial family to a meal together. This is not usual. Royal family members do not often invite reporters like this.
There is a plan to give more money to some members of the imperial family. The plan says this money could become two times bigger. Many people in Japan do not like this plan. They think it is not fair.
Because of this, more people are criticizing the imperial family. Some people think Princess Akiko invited the reporters to find support. She may want the reporters to write good things about the family.
At the same time, a top government official thanked experts who are working on changes to the law about the imperial family. This law is called the Imperial House Law. The experts are studying possible changes to it.
Some people are also talking about Princess Aiko. She is another member of the imperial family. Some people think she could become important in the future, depending on how the law changes.
Vocabulary15 words
- Princess
- a female member of a royal family
- imperial family
- the family of the emperor
- reporters
- people whose job is to write news
- experts
- people who know a lot about one subject
- Imperial House Law
- the law about Japan's royal family
- criticizing
- saying something is bad
- support
- help; agreement
- official
- a person who works for the government
- plan
- an idea for the future
- fair
- right and equal for everyone
- public
- all the people in a country
- royal
- connected to a king or queen
- law
- an official rule
- changes
- new ways of doing something
- government
- the group that runs a country
Quiz
Answer key
1. Princess Akiko 2. A plan to double money for some royal members 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Princess Akiko is a member of Japan's _____ family.
She recently invited _____ who write about the imperial family to a meal together.
There is a _____ to give more money to some members of the imperial family.
The plan says this money could become two times _____.
Many people in Japan do not like this plan. They think it is not _____.
Because of this, more people are _____ the imperial family.
Some people think Princess Akiko invited the reporters to find _____.
A top government _____ thanked experts working on changes to the law.
This law is called the Imperial House _____.
The experts are studying possible changes to it.