Easy Japanese for Work (2019) season 1 - episode list, synopsis, cast and crew

Episode 1

21 March 2019 - Communicating a sense of gratitude

This episode is about expressing thanks. Tuan-san, who is from Vietnam, moved to Japan 4 years ago and works at an IT company. Although his Japanese is improving, he still isn't used to the Japanese that is spoken in business meetings. He wants to thank his superiors, who always kindly help him when he has trouble. By role-playing and receiving guidance from experts, he'll learn a way to say thanks from the heart.

Episode 2

21 March 2019 - How to politely ask someone to repeat something

This episode is about asking someone to repeat something. Putri-san, from Indonesia, learned Japanese in university. She has been working in the real estate field for 4 years in Japan. Putri-san works entirely in Japanese, but finds some katakana words difficult. By role-playing and receiving guidance from experts, she'll learn how to politely ask someone to repeat something.

Episode 3

21 March 2019 - Expressing an opinion concisely

This episode is about expressing an opinion concisely. Tomanik, from Poland, got serious about studying Japanese and then he fell in love with Japanese pop culture. Although he can explain himself in meetings in Japanese just fine, he tends to make very long explanations. By role-playing and receiving guidance from experts, he'll learn how to express himself more directly.

Episode 4

21 March 2019 - How to make explanations using photos and other materials

This episode is about using materials to express oneself in a way that's easy to understand. Nu Nu Aung, from Myanmar, moved to Japan 9 months ago and works at a property management company. Every day, she receives training in Japanese and learns more about real estate. In one week's time, Nu Nu Aung will make a presentation in Japanese about areas of Tokyo. To prepare, she will role-play and learn from experts about how to make explanations using photos and other materials.

Episode 5

27 March 2019 - Relaying messages

This time: relaying messages. Dong Quoc Dung works for a sports equipment manufacturer. He was transferred to the Japanese headquarters of his Vietnamese company in 2018. He designs fishing reels. From meetings to design checks, he uses only Japanese. One day it is hoped he will return to Vietnam and use his Japanese skill to communicate with HQ in Japan. By role-playing and receiving guidance from experts, he'll learn how to take messages accurately. Today's kanji is "okuru." And in After 5!, we visit a super sento.

Episode 6

27 March 2019 - Obtaining permission

This time: obtaining permission. Tran Van Vuong from Vietnam designs fishing rods at a sports equipment manufacturer. Since transferring to the Japanese headquarters of his company in 2018, Vuong-san has become a popular member of staff. However, when asking for permission, he tends to use daijoobu, when yoroshii would be more appropriate. Vuong-san will tackle a workplace roleplay and learn how to ask for permission. Today's kanji is "sakini." And in After 5!, we visit a super sento.

Episode 7

06 May 2019 - Making apologies

This episode is about making apologies. Loraine Paz Amoro Oledan-san moved to Japan at the end of 2018 to work at a housekeeping company. Starting next week, she will be responsible for cleaning actual homes. She knows how to carry out her work and has learned the Japanese phrases she will need to use. But you never know what unexpected things may happen! Loraine-san will tackle a roleplay to help her explain properly and apologize. She'll learn from experts what to focus on when she does this in Japan.

Episode 8

13 May 2019 - Making suggestions

This episode is about making suggestions. Marianne Paragua Culaniban-san has worked at a housekeeping company for 2 years. She's the longest-serving foreign member of staff and is looked up to by the 130 other Filipino workers. Her Japanese and cleaning skills make her a hit with customers! Her company would like her to take her service to the next level by making recommendations to customers. Marianne-san will tackle a roleplay to help her learn how to listen and make suggestions flexibly.

Episode 9

03 June 2019 - Asking questions using keego

This episode is about asking questions using polite Japanese, "keego." Irving Armenta-san, from Mexico, has trouble with "keego." As a college student, he became a fan of a Japanese singer. To understand her songs, he attended a Japanese language school. Irving-san has no trouble with daily conversation. He works at an IT company with a casual atmosphere, where "keego" is not quite necessary. But soon, Irving-san will begin working at the clients' office 2 days a week. He will need to improve his "keego!"

Episode 10

10 June 2019 - Offering support

This episode is about offering support. To Quang Ngoc-san, from Vietnam, works at an IT company. A new coworker sits next to him, and Ngoc-san wants to help him with any trouble he might have. Ngoc-san originally worked in Hanoi before switching to his current job. His Japanese has improved thanks to the help of his senior, Tobishima-san. From greeting clients to understanding paperwork, Ngoc-san wants to pay forward the kindness he was shown, by becoming a great senior, Senpai, to his new coworker.

Episode 11

01 July 2019 - Asking how to pronounce names

This episode is about asking how to pronounce names. Whang Sunmyung works at a general trading company in Japan. Born in the Republic of Korea, he studied in China from the age of 13. Out of a desire to work on a global scale, he came to Japan to work at his current company. Now, Whang-san is taking Japanese lessons while on the job. His goal is to become a reliable businessman. To do so, he needs a way to ask how to pronounce a person's name, a valuable part of business manners in Japan.

Episode 12

08 July 2019 - Asking for clarification

This episode is about asking for clarification. Binod Gautam, from Nepal, studied in Aichi Prefecture before joining a car sales company, where he works as a mechanic. It's been 2 months since he started, and his coworkers are helping him learn the ropes. As a mechanic, it's important to catch even the smallest mistakes. Binod-san's superior worries that he doesn't ask for clarification when he doesn't understand. He will tackle a roleplay to help him clarify and confirm instructions.

Episode 13

29 July 2019 - Answering phone calls for others

This episode is about answering phone calls for others. Nguyen Truong Giang, from Vietnam, is an IT engineer who works at a marketing firm. Giang-san studied Japanese and programming in university. He moved to Japan in 2015 and now serves as a link between the Vietnam branch of his company and the Japanese headquarters. Giang-san's Japanese is good, but he still needs experience with phone manners. In a telephone roleplay challenge, what will he do when a call comes in for a coworker who is busy on another line?

Episode 14

05 August 2019 - Responding when you've been asked to do too many things

This episode is about responding when you've been asked to do too many things. Chu Van Hung, from Vietnam, was hired 3 months ago to work at a manufacturing company. He works as a design assistant, using specialized software to make machine parts. After coming to Japan in 2015, he studied for a year at a language school and for 2 years at a trade school before landing his current job. Hardworking Chu-san will tackle a roleplay challenge where he is given more work than he can handle. How will he decide which tasks to take on?

Episode 15

26 August 2019 - Offering logical explanations

This episode is about offering logical explanations. Frederic Miane, from France, is an engineer who works in AI robot development. He was with the French branch of a Japanese company before moving to Japan in January 2019. Now, he works at a Japanese company that makes drones. Frederic-san passed JLPT N3, but when it comes to complicated subjects he often switches to English or relies on his coworkers to interpret. He hopes to improve his communication skills. To do so, he will tackle a roleplay challenge.

Episode 16

02 September 2019 - Handling difficult negotiations over the phone

This episode is about handling difficult negotiations over the phone. Liu Yang, from China, works in sales administration at a Japanese adhesive company. She has been in Japan for 4 years but joined her company not long ago, in April 2019. Now, she is learning the ins and outs of sales administration. Although Liu-san has mastered essential business phrases, she finds it difficult to negotiate in Japanese. She will tackle a roleplay challenge to help her learn how to negotiate over the phone.

Episode 17

14 October 2019 - Supporting a subordinate

Today: supporting a subordinate. Valerii Praid, from Russia, is an IT engineer working at a start-up in Japan, where metal processing is mostly handled by smaller firms. Praid-san's company has an advanced system for generating quotes efficiently. He joined the company 2 months ago and is the only foreigner working there. He has tech and language skills, but how is his leadership? Praid-san will tackle a roleplay challenge where he poses as a manager helping a struggling subordinate.

Episode 18

21 October 2019 - Politely explaining rules

Today: politely explaining rules. Dinh Thanh Huyen, from Vietnam, moved to Japan 4 years ago. She works as a care worker at a care facility in Ibaraki Prefecture. Dinh-san must often communicate directly with residents' family members. She wants to keep their feelings in mind while still relaying the facility's rules -- a task that requires a high level of Japanese ability! She will tackle a roleplay challenge where she explains facility rules to the family of a new resident.

Episode 19

13 April 2020 - Dealing with ambiguous complaints

Wu Fei, from China, works as a co-manager of a Yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo. After graduating university, she moved to Japan in 2010 and began studying Japanese. She began working at this Yakiniku restaurant last year. Besides waitressing, she's responsible for store operations and training new staff members. Her Japanese is great, but sometimes she finds it hard to deal with ambiguous complaints from customers. She tackles a roleplay challenge to help her improve her customer service skills.

Episode 20

11 May 2020 - Telling passengers in a hurry that they may be late

Andre Marcal Kanashiro, from Brazil, works as a driver at a taxi company in Tokyo. He's a third-generation Japanese Brazilian who moved to Tokyo in 2017. As Japan's society ages, there's a shortage of taxi drivers, leading companies to hire foreign employees. Andre-san is great at Japanese, and at getting passengers where they need to go. But he has trouble dealing with passengers who are in a hurry. He takes on a roleplay challenge and gets advice from business Japanese experts.

Episode 21

08 June 2020 - Asking a shop manager to follow orders from head office

Kim Yeon-gyeong, from the Republic of Korea, works at a company that's helping a ramen chain spread throughout Japan. Her bright and bubbly personality is an asset as she promotes customer service training for staff at ramen shops. She's great at speaking frankly with people that she knows, but when it comes to people she is meeting for the first time, she isn't quite as confident. In a roleplay challenge, she has to relay a request from the head office to a franchise manager.

Episode 22

05 October 2020 - Identifying your chance to speak at a meeting

Today: identifying your chance to speak at a meeting. Timothy James Mahrt, from the United States, works at an IT firm in Tokyo. He helps develop software used for website translation. Though he has no trouble chatting in Japanese with colleagues over lunch, he sometimes finds it hard to follow meetings held in Japanese. For this reason, he has difficulty finding the right time to speak up. To improve, he takes on a roleplay challenge and gets advice from business Japanese experts.

Episode 23

12 October 2020 - Explaining when there's been a misunderstanding

Today: explaining when there's been a misunderstanding. Bima Aji Nugroho, from Indonesia, works at a metalworking company in Saitama Prefecture. He makes parts that are used in cars and construction equipment. He first came to Japan in 2015. Now, he's returned on a visa for highly skilled workers, and is striving to level up his Japanese. Yet he worries about problems due to miscommunication. To improve, he takes on a roleplay challenge and gets advice from business Japanese experts.

Episode 24

19 October 2020 - Adjusting a schedule with a client

Today: adjusting a schedule with a client. Lan Cheng, from China, works in Gunma Prefecture at a company that makes pizza ovens. His bright and positive personality is an asset as he learns all about pizza oven maintenance. He's also working on developing a system to improve the safety of the ovens. Though his technical knowledge is excellent, he'd like to learn how to better communicate with customers. To help, he'll take on a roleplay challenge and get advice from business Japanese experts.

Episode 25

09 November 2020 - Making small talk with a client

Today: making small talk with a client. Raphael Marso, from Germany, works at a company that makes manufacturing equipment. He moved to Japan after completing graduate school in Germany. Though still in his first year, he's been tasked with designing new products. He's finished a prototype for one of them, and is preparing to begin making presentations to potential clients. However, he still doesn't have any experience speaking with clients. To help, he'll take on a roleplay challenge where he must make small talk with a client he's meeting for the first time.

Episode 26

16 November 2020 - Cheering up a junior employee who is feeling down

Today: cheering up a junior employee who is feeling down. Nyamjav Baljinnyam, or Baabii-san, from Mongolia, works in Chiba Prefecture. His company sells used luxury cars, and also performs maintenance. Baabii-san has admired Japanese cars ever since he was a child in Ulaanbaatar. He moved to Japan at age 20 and studied at an automotive school for 2 years. Now in his third year at his company, he's being asked to take on more responsibilities. To improve, he'll take on a roleplay challenge where he must cheer up a junior employee who is feeling down about a mistake.

Episode 27

07 December 2020 - Asking others for favors

Today: asking others for favors. Warni Letty Yuhara, from Indonesia, works at a farm in Ibaraki Prefecture that mainly grows herbs. She's in charge of part-time workers on the farm, which welcomes interns from Indonesia. Warni-san herself was an intern here in 2017. After graduating, she returned to learn more about farming techniques. She has a positive personality, and has made friends with the other workers. But she struggles with others to stay late. To improve, she tackles a roleplay challenge.

Episode 28

14 December 2020 - Checking that others have understood instructions

Today: checking that others have understood instructions. Shang Yan, from China, works as a train cleaner in Tokyo. Her company, which is responsible for cleaning trains and station buildings, employs 220 foreign workers. Shang Yan-san leads a team of 5 cleaners. She joined her current company out of a desire to keep Tokyo sparkling clean. Now that she's a leader, she needs to be able to check that others have understood instructions. To help improve, she tackles a roleplay challenge.

Episode 29

04 January 2021 - Reporting to a superior that a coworker is ill

Today: reporting to a superior that a coworker is ill. Tran Dinh Thang, from Vietnam, is a technical intern who works at a construction firm in Kanagawa Prefecture. He builds scaffolding, and often works high off the ground. It's a physically demanding job, so keeping in good health is of vital importance. And if someone gets ill or hurt on the job, it's crucial to let a superior know. Thang-san will take on a roleplay challenge where he must report to a superior that a coworker is suddenly not well.

Episode 30

11 January 2021 - Turning down a request for support politely

Today: turning down a request for support politely. Wang Chihsun, from Taiwan, works as a pastry chef at an upscale American restaurant in Tokyo. He moved to Japan in 2015. Fascinated with Japanese sweets, he began studying to be a pastry chef. His dream is to one day open his own café in Taiwan. At his current job, he wants to learn how to communicate better with coworkers. To help, he'll take on a roleplay challenge where he must turn down a busy coworker's request for support.

Episode 31

15 March 2021 - Business Japanese Quiz Part 1

Today: part 1 of a 2-part series. Students featured in past editions of Easy Japanese for Work return to take part in a special quiz-style business Japanese lesson. This time, the students are Tran Thanh Tuan (from Vietnam) and Warni Letty Yuhara (from Indonesia). Tuan-san works at an IT company in Tokyo. Warni-san works on a farm in Ibaraki Prefecture. Together, they tackle 3 questions about tricky Japanese designed to help them improve their on-the-job Japanese. Tune in to see how they do!

Episode 32

22 March 2021 - Business Japanese Quiz Part 2

Today: part 2 of a 2-part series. Students featured in past editions of Easy Japanese for Work return to take part in a special quiz-style business Japanese lesson. This time, the students are Nu Nu Aung (from Myanmar) and Raphael Marso (from Germany). Nu Nu-san works at a real estate management company in Tokyo, and Marso-san at a manufacturing company in Yamanashi Prefecture. Together, they tackle questions about tricky Japanese designed to help improve their on-the-job Japanese. Tune in to see how they do!

Episode 33

07 June 2021 - Dealing with a complaint from a neighbor

Today: dealing with a complaint from a neighbor. Luu Van Chien, from Vietnam, works as a carpenter at a home construction company. He joined this company around 8 years ago, starting as a technical intern. Although he struggled at first, he worked hard to improve his skills as carpenter. Now, he's one of the top workers at the company and he's been tasked with supervising other employees. In a roleplay challenge, he must deal with a complaint from a neighbor living near a construction site.

Episode 34

14 June 2021 - Asking for instant guidance

Today: asking for instant guidance. Makni Mohamed, from Tunisia, works as a guard at construction sites. He fell in love with Japan after a 2009 trip, and began learning the language. He's passionate about keeping people safe, and chose to work as a guard. One key responsibility is guiding vehicles and passersby. Makni-san sometimes has difficulty getting the attention of the foreman, who must provide guidance about the order of deliveries. To help improve, he tackles a roleplay challenge.

Episode 35

05 July 2021 - Asking for further information

Today: asking for further information. Khine Mie Mie Soe, from Myanmar, works at a company that makes floral decorations for TV sets, weddings and events. She studied architecture and interior design in university, but knew nothing about flowers before coming to Japan in 2018. She hopes to become a chief designer at her company, creating arrangements that satisfy each client. To help, she'll take on a roleplay challenge, in which she must ask a client for further information about the flowers that they want.

Episode 36

12 July 2021 - Saying how much you can do

Today: saying how much you can do. Naing Myo Oo, from Myanmar, works at a company that makes signs for businesses. He moved to Japan in 2016 and took this job to improve manufacturing skills he acquired in Malaysia. Each morning, he checks his tasks for the day with a supervisor. If he takes on too much, he won't be able to finish on time. Can he make this point? He'll take on a roleplay challenge, in which he must let his supervisor know how much work he'll be able to accomplish that day.

Episode 37

02 August 2021 - Explaining that you can't make a decision on the spot

Today: explaining that you can't make a decision on the spot. Astriana Faradillah, from Indonesia, works in sales at a company that makes devices used in incineration. She moved to Japan 5 years ago and studied at a university in Tokyo before joining her current company. She can prepare quotes on her own and is mastering other basic skills. But she says she lacks confidence when it comes to sales. She'll take on a roleplay challenge where she must deal with clients who request an on-the-spot discount.

Episode 38

09 August 2021 - Taking over someone's work without hurting their feelings

Today: taking over someone's work without hurting their feelings. Aung Zin Phyo, from Myanmar, works for a firm that makes architectural 3DCG images. These images are used in various types of presentations. He joined this company last year. He supervises his colleagues who work in Vietnam. Since both parties are communicating in Japanese rather than their native languages, he aims to take care with how he expresses himself. He'll tackle a roleplay challenge, in which he must help out a coworker who is struggling with their workload.

Episode 39

18 October 2021 - Explaining a need for staffing adjustment

Today: explaining a need for staffing adjustment. Kaung Htet Paing, from Myanmar, works behind the scenes at Narita Airport. He is a technical intern who is learning all about tasks such as guiding aircraft as well as loading and unloading baggage. In a job where safety and punctuality are crucial, communication and teamwork are essential. He'll tackle a roleplay challenge where he must report to a supervisor that a coworker is not feeling well. How will he handle the situation?

Episode 40

25 October 2021 - Pointing out a senior coworker's mistake

Today: pointing out a senior coworker's mistake. Kyaw Swar Aung, from Myanmar, works behind the scenes at Narita Airport. He carries out tasks such as guiding aircraft as well as loading and unloading baggage. He's learned that both caution and precision are necessary to prevent accidents. He knows to report anything out of the ordinary, as well as any errors. He'll tackle a roleplay challenge in which he notices a senior worker's mistake. How will he handle the situation?

Episode 41

15 November 2021 - Words of support for a coworker

Today: words of support for a coworker. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, from Vietnam, works at a company that makes paper products. She began studying Japanese out of a love for Japanese manga, and she came to Japan 2 years ago as a technical intern. At her job, she works in quality inspection. She needs a high level of focus to check for any imperfections. She'd like to forge a closer bond with her coworkers, who often push themselves to work hard even when they aren't feeling their best. In a roleplay challenge, she must reach out to a coworker who has back pain to offer words of support.

Episode 42

22 November 2021 - Fielding an urgent request on the phone

Today: fielding an urgent request on the phone. Dong Van Huu, from Vietnam, designs blueprints at an architecture company. He first became interested in Japanese architecture as a college student in Vietnam. In 2015, he came to Japan as a technical intern. Now, he works at the company where he formerly interned. His desire to improve means overcoming challenges including unfamiliar terms and detailed measurements. In a roleplay challenge, he deals with an urgent request on the phone about blueprints that are missing key information.

Episode 43

27 December 2021 - Determining what is worrying a client

Today: determining what is worrying a client. Lin Zhipeng, from China, works at a real estate firm. He began studying Japanese after becoming interested in anime, and came to Japan 5 years ago. At his job, he's involved with property inspections and assisting clients. He had a bad experience once when a customer asked to change to a Japanese agent. He wants to regain his confidence. In a roleplay challenge, he must determine what is worrying his client.

Episode 44

03 January 2022 - Making a polite request to a superior

Today: making a polite request to a superior. Jorge Andres Arevalos Ibarra, from Paraguay, works at a metalworking company. His nickname is Andy. The company employs many staff members from abroad. Andy joined it a year ago. These days he's involved in polishing, inspection and other quality-related checks. It's a casual workplace, but he wants to speak more politely with his superiors. In a roleplay challenge, he must make a request to a superior using polite language.

Episode 45

10 January 2022 - Asking someone to repeat and clarify

Today: asking someone to repeat and clarify. Do Cong Uan, from Vietnam, works at a metalworking company. He came to Japan 8 years ago with his wife. At his job, he helps to shape metal parts and he also mentors junior coworkers. Though he has no trouble with everyday Japanese, he says he struggles when he encounters unfamiliar words. In a roleplay challenge, he must politely ask a superior to repeat and clarify what they said.

Episode 46

07 February 2022 - Recommending additional repairs

Today: recommending additional repairs. Wewalage Suneth Priyanka Fernando, from Sri Lanka, works as an auto mechanic in Chiba Prefecture. A car and motorcycle fan, he came to Japan 6 years ago. He studied at both a Japanese language school and a school for mechanics. At his job, he's involved with making repairs as well as talking directly with customers. He wonders how he can suggest that customers allow him to undertake additional repairs to their vehicles. In a roleplay challenge, he recommends additional repairs to a client in the interest of safety.

Episode 47

14 February 2022 - Business Japanese Review Special: Part 1

The first in a special two-part EJW series. On Easy Japanese for Work, we've looked at many Japanese phrases that people use at work. Today, we'll review past phrases and learn Keego through some fun games. First, reviewing past key phrases. Past students and some of their coworkers join us to learn new phrases through a quiz. Today's students are from the Philippines and Vietnam. They must work together to come up with Japanese phrases. Next, at Keego Corporation, a fill-in-the-blank style quiz. How will our students do? Tune in to find out.

Episode 48

21 February 2022 - Business Japanese Review Special: Part 2

The second in a special two-part EJW series. On Easy Japanese for Work, we've looked at many Japanese phrases that people use at work. Today, we'll review past phrases and learn Keego through some fun games. First, reviewing past key phrases. Past students and some of their coworkers join us to learn new phrases through a quiz. Today's students are from the Philippines and Vietnam. They must work together to come up with Japanese phrases. Next, at Keego Corporation, a fill-in-the-blank style quiz. How will our students do? Tune in to find out.

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