(Mainichi/Shinnosuke Kyan)
In the Yanbaru forest in the north of Okinawa’s main island, a pair of Okinawa woodpeckers, a species designated as a special natural monument of Japan, are flying around. The birds are members of the woodpecker family, and May is the peak season for raising their chicks. They lay eggs in nest holes they carve into trees and spend about one month raising their young. The “tap-tap-tap” sound of pecking that echoes through the forest is a sign of new life.
Japanese original
(Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun)
Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension.
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Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.
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