If something is connected to the Internet, it is called “smart.” There are smartphones, smart speakers, and smart watches. Now they are selling smart beds. Some smart beds can track how well you sleep. They make changes to give you a better sleep. For example, they can change the temperature of the mattress so that you can sleep comfortably in any weather. They can also change how the mattress feels. Do you want a soft mattress or a firm one? The position of the mattress is also important. Do you want your head or your legs to be higher? I sleep well anywhere, so I don’t need a smart bed, but I think they can be very helpful for people who don’t sleep well.  (124 words)

I have been wearing short-sleeved shirts almost every day since May. I was still wearing a T-shirt last week when the temperature in Nagoya went up to 31 degrees. Then, yesterday, the temperature only got up to 16 degrees. It was raining, and that made me feel even colder. I wore a sweatshirt and a light jacket when I took the dog for a walk in the morning, and I kept the sweatshirt on inside all day long. As the weather reporter said, it’s the time of year to take out your warm clothes and put away your summer clothes. I think most junior high and high school students have already made the change and started wearing their winter uniforms.   (120 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

Takaichi Sanae has become Japan’s 104th prime minister. She is making news around the world because she is Japan’s first female prime minister. Takaichi grew up near Nara. She comes from a middle-class family and likes heavy metal bands. She is an amateur drummer. She spent some time in the U.S. before going into politics in Japan in 1993. She was very close to Abe Shinzo. One of her heroes is Margaret Thatcher, the first female British prime minister. Takaichi will not have an easy job as the head of the Japanese government. Inflation is bad, and her government cannot do anything without the help of other political parties.   (109 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

I missed the fourth game of the National League Championship Series last Friday (Saturday morning Japan time), but I watched the highlights on YouTube later. The Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the Milwaukee Brewers, and Ohtani Shohei was the star of the game! He pitched 6 innings. He got 10 strikeouts and didn’t give up a hit. At the same time, his batting was unbelievable! He got 3 home runs in the game and won the series for his team. The Dodgers are the National League champions now, and they will go on to the World Series. Which team will they play, the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays? We will find out after their seventh game later today!   (120 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com

A long time ago, Japan had a housing problem. There were not enough houses for everyone because the population was growing fast. Now, Japan has a different housing problem. The population is getting smaller, and there are many vacant houses around the country. It can be difficult to sell these houses, but I found a website in English with information about buying them. The name of the company is Koryoya, and it has information about three kinds of houses. The “akiya” (vacant houses) are the cheapest. The “machiya” are townhouses in old post towns and port towns. The “kominkan” are traditional large houses in the countryside. I hope that people will buy these beautiful houses so that we can continue to see them when we travel around Japan.    (128 words) You can send me a comment or your own story at jaremaga@gmail.com