Practice English with NewsPractice with News
Politics141 words1 min read

TV Host Criticizes Japan PM's Remark on ICC Sanctions

A city street filled with lots of tall buildings
Photo by Z Guan on Unsplash

Japan has a new Prime Minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi.

The ICC is a court. It works for countries around the world. Its president is Akane. He is from Japan.

The United States put sanctions on Akane. This means the US punished him.

PM Takaichi talked about this. She said it was 'sad' or 'a pity'.

A TV host named Yoshiko Zenba did not like this comment. She works on a Japanese TV show called Sunday Morning.

Zenba said Takaichi's words were like 'pulling the ladder away'. This means you help someone climb, then take the ladder away. They cannot get down.

Akane asked Japan for help. He wants the ICC to continue its work.

People are worried. They say the 'rule of law' is in danger. This means countries must follow fair laws, not just use power.

Vocabulary3 words

ICC
a world court for very serious crimes
sanctions
punishments one country gives to another person or country
rule of law
the idea that everyone must follow fair laws

Quiz

1. What did the US do to ICC president Akane?
2. What did TV host Zenba compare Takaichi's comment to?
3. True or False: Akane asked Japan for help for the ICC.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Japan has a new Prime Minister. Her name is Sanae _____.

The ICC is a court. It works for countries around the world. Its president is _____. He is from Japan.

The United States put _____ on Akane. This means the US punished him.

PM Takaichi talked about this. She said it was '_____' or 'a pity'.

A TV host named Yoshiko Zenba did not like this comment. She works on a Japanese TV show called Sunday _____.

Zenba said Takaichi's words were like 'pulling the _____ away'. This means you help someone climb, then take the ladder away.

Akane asked Japan for _____. He wants the ICC to continue its work.

People are worried. They say the 'rule of _____' is in danger.

More Politics stories