Learn English with the News: “A new Japanese superhero”

Hi, konnichiwa!

Today’s news item takes place in Tokyo and it’s all about a new superhero who lives underground.

Find out more by:

1. Reading the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the news

Text

Japan’s subway superhero, reporting for duty. Tadahiro Kanemasu, A.K.A. the “Carry-Your-Pram-Ranger” has been helping people at this Tokyo station for the past three months. The 27-year-old was inspired by the children he meets at work.

– When I started this thing, people called me a weird guy and were even telling me to back off. But after several months, they’re now calling me a ‘good, weird guy’ and are friendly to me.

And these people agree.

– This station has neither escalators nor barrier-free equipment, so people really appreciate his service.

– He was a great help … though I thought he’s a bit odd.

But why the masked outfit?

– Japanese people find it hard to offer or accept help because they feel obligated to the other person, so putting this mask on really helps me out.

Kanemasu hopes to expand his superhero operation.

– I want to see red, blue, yellow and pink rangers joining me.

But in the meantime, he’ll have to carry out his superhero mission alone.

Vocabulary

Reporting – the person you report to at your job is the person who is directly in charge of what you do, who reviews your work, etc..

Duty – something that is done as part of a job.

AKA – acronym for “also known as”.

Weird – unusual or strange.

Odd – strange or unusual : different from what is normal or expected.

Obligated – to make (a person or organization) do something because the law requires it or because it is the right thing to do.

Expand – to increase in size, range, or amount : to become bigger.

News Video