The Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation has a “Kanji of the Year” contest, and people send in their choice of one character that shows the year’s trends. The kanji of 2024 is “kin,” which means “gold.” It can also be read as “kane,” which means “money.” Over 200,000 people sent in their choices, and more people chose “kin” than any other Chinese character. That’s because of the gold medal winners at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics and the gold mines of Sado which have just become a world cultural heritage site. There was also a lot of news about money. People were bothered by money in politics, and everyone had to spend more money in 2024 because of inflation. (120 words)

A large bomb from World War II was found near the center of Nagoya, and the city removed it yesterday. They probably chose Sunday because most people don’t work on that day. They closed down two subway lines and changed the bus routes near the site because they didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Luckily, the bomb didn’t explode, and everything was back to normal by the afternoon. I was surprised when I saw the news later that day. They found the bomb under a building that I had worked in for five years! I don’t think I was in danger, but some old bombs do explode. A WWII bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport two months ago soon after a plane passed close by. (124 words)

Jaremaga is hosting the 2024 Junior High and High School Essay Contest. Any student can submit an essay, and winners will receive a certificate from Jaremaga. The winning essays will be posted on Jaremaga in February. If you a junior high school or high school teacher, please encourage your students to write an essay. It is great practice for them, and we are always happy to read essays from new writers. It’s a win-win situation for everyone! じゃれマガのようなSimple English で素敵なエッセイを英文で綴ってみませんか。日常の暮らしの中で、見たり聞いたりした素朴な体験など、じんわりとした温かい気持ちや、切ない思い出を綴った英文エッセイコンテストを開催します。　 The deadline for the essays is January 10, 2025, so send you essays in as soon as possible. The URL for the submissions is https://forms.gle/1a4zVjaDWAXZ5kP69 応募締め切りは2025年1月10日。応募方法…下記のグーグルフォームから作品を送信してください https://forms.gle/1a4zVjaDWAXZ5kP69

Be careful tomorrow! It’s Friday the 13th. You probably know that it is an unlucky day, but do you know what you shouldn’t do on this day? Here is a list. 1. Don’t break a mirror. It will bring you seven years of bad luck. 2. Don’t walk under a ladder. Something, or someone, might fall on you. 3. Don’t spill salt, but if you do, throw some over your left shoulder. 4. Don’t let a black cat cross in front of you. It is a sign of bad luck. 5. Don’t travel or get surgery on Friday the 13th. Try to do these things on another day. (108 words)

Who makes dinner in your family? My wife usually makes dinner for me, but she was away over the weekend, so I decided to make dinner for her when she got back home. First, I had to choose what to make. I went online and found a recipe for mackerel, a fish I really like. Then I went shopping and got everything I needed. When I got home, I started cooking. I made rice and a side dish as well. I’m happy to say that she enjoyed the meal, and I realized that cooking isn’t easy. It took me half a day to prepare this dinner. I enjoyed cooking, but I feel grateful that my wife usually does it for me. It’s hard work! (124 words)