After a major earthquake struck Taiwan in early April, there were calls in Japan for donations to help Taiwanese people. The keyword on social media was "ongaeshi," the idea of repaying someone's kindness. Municipalities with ties to Taiwan set up donation boxes to help support those affected by the disaster. Tune in to learn about words such as "kondo," which means "this time" or "next time," and "on," which refers to the feeling of gratitude you feel for a favor someone has done for you.
Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."
Join us as we learn Japanese and about the country through Japanese news stories.
Our headline for today is:
Many in Japan Eager to Help Quake-Hit Taiwan
This refers to the quake that hit Taiwan on April 3.
It was widely reported in the Japanese media.
Yes, the powerful quake, measuring magnitude 7.2, left at least 18 people dead and a thousand injured.
Now, let's go over some key terms to listen out for in our story today.
"kifu."
donation.
"kooryuu."
exchange or interaction.
"Nippon-sekijuuji-sha."
Japanese Red Cross Society.
OK, try to follow along.
On April 3, a major earthquake occurred in Taiwan.
It has caused great damage.
Whenever a major earthquake or other disaster has occurred in Japan,
the people of Taiwan have sent a lot of donation money.
They donated over 20 billion yen in the case of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake,
and over 2.5 billion yen in the case of the Noto Peninsula quake in January this year.
For this reason, since the Taiwan quake, there have been many messages on social media,
such as, "I will never forget how Taiwan helped us" and "This time, Japan shall help Taiwan."
Cities and towns that have had exchanges with Taiwan have set up donation boxes to collect money.
Convenience stores, the Japanese Red Cross Society, and NGOs are also collecting donations.
Japan and Taiwan support each other during times of disaster.
The story mentioned the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Yes. We received assistance from as many as 163 countries and territories.
Taiwan provided a large amount of support,
despite having a population one-fifth the size of Japan's.
Right. OK, let's review the following sentence from the story.
This time, Japan shall help Taiwan.
Now read along with me.
"kondo wa Nippon ga Taiwan o tasukemashoo."
Today's keyword is "kondo," which is used often in daily life.
Our story explains how Taiwan and Japan have provided aid to each other in the past.
So here, "kondo" refers to how "this time" it's Japan's turn to return the favor.
Right. But sensee, "kondo" also has another, slightly different meaning, doesn't it?
Right.
It can also be used to refer to the "near future" or "next time."
So Chiara, let's say you're looking forward to taking a trip next month with your friend.
How would you express that?
Um... I think I would say...
"'Kondo' iku ryokoo wa tanoshimi desu."
(I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip.)
Yes, you would use "kondo."
"'Kondo' iku ryokoo wa tanoshimi desu."
However, I've often had people say
"'Kondo' renraku suru,"
(I'll contact you sometime.)
or something like that. And I wait and wait, but they never actually get in contact.
So, at first, I remember being very confused about what "kondo" meant in this particular context.
Sometimes, when we use "kondo," a specific date has yet to be set.
Yes, occasionally I use it even when I'm not sure whether it will really end up happening.
For example, I have a habit of saying,
"'Kondo' nomini ikimashoo."
(Let's go for a drink sometime.)
Yes. That's a very common one you'll hear.
So it's kind of a way to float around the idea of getting together without actually committing to anything.
That's right.
If you're interested, try suggesting a time. That way, you can clear things up.
Bite-Size Japan.
Japan has a history of mutual assistance not only with Taiwan, but with many countries and territories.
In recent years, we provided assistance to earthquake-hit Afghanistan and flood-affected Pakistan.
And we have an especially close relationship with Turkey.
The friendly relations between Japan and Turkey go back more than 130 years.
In the late 1800s, the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul was shipwrecked off of Wakayama Prefecture.
Local villagers mounted a rescue effort and were able to save 69 sailors.
About 90 years later, Turkey returned the favor by lending Japan a helping hand amid the escalating Iran-Iraq war.
In the Iranian capital of Tehran, foreigners were being evacuated by their governments,
but Japanese nationals found themselves stranded.
Turkey stepped in and sent an airplane to evacuate all 215 of them.
Kac Rahman, who's originally from Turkey, helps run a Turkish cultural center in Tokyo.
In Turkey we say: "A single cup of coffee is remembered for 40 years."
When you offer a cup of coffee to someone, you form a bond that lasts a long time.
I believe Turkey wanted to help Japan and do "ongaeshi"
because the people remembered the shipwreck incident 90 years ago.
This spirit of mutual aid was also expressed in the wake of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Rescue teams were sent to Japan from around the world.
But workers from Turkey were on the ground the longest.
In 2023, Turkey and Syria were struck by violent earthquakes.
Japan quickly dispatched rescue teams and a large amount of aid.
The bonds of friendship remain strong.
The relationship of "ongaeshi" between Japan and Turkey is wonderful.
I hope it continues for many years to come.
With all the natural disasters and conflicts happening in the world right now,
I think this spirit of mutual support and compassion is more important than ever.
Yes.
We heard the word "ongaeshi."
"On" refers to the gratitude we feel for a kind act that someone has done for us.
We call the act of repaying the favor "ongaeshi."
Oh, I'm reminded of the famous Japanese folktale "Tsuru no Ongaeshi."
It's about a crane that's saved from a trap by an old man.
The crane then returns the favor by helping him.
Take a look at this.
It shows a person saving someone who's fallen off a cliff.
What would you call the person who saved you?
Hmm. Well, I think you would refer to him as an "onjin", or "somebody you're indebted to."
Correct.
In this case he saved your life,
so you could refer to him as "inochi no onjin."
Yes, so you could say...
"Kare wa 'inochi no onjin' desu."
(I owe him my life.)
"Kare wa 'inochi no onjin' desu."
Another phrase I've heard sometimes is
"Arigatoogozaimasu. 'On ni kimasu.'"
(Thank you. I'm much obliged.)
which essentially means, "I'm much obliged?"
Yes.
By attaching "on ni kimasu" after arigatoogozaimasu,"
you can convey your gratitude for what someone has done for you.
It's a very important concept, I think.
Because Japan's relationships with its neighbors are very much based on this concept of "ongaeshi."
Well said.
OK. That's all for today.
We'll see you next time.
"Mata oai shimashoo."
(See you soon.)