Unit 6: Environmental, Political, and Societal Challenges

〜ので

A softer, common way to give a reason (“because/since”); often sounds more natural than repeating だから.

〜ため（原因）

A more formal way to state a cause/reason; often used in writing (e.g., 〜ため、…).

〜ために（目的）

Expresses purpose (“in order to…”); can be confused with cause, so context must make the purpose clear.

〜によって

Indicates that something happens due to a factor/means/mechanism (“due to/by means of”).

〜ようになる

Describes a change over time that results in a new state (“come to be able to / come to…”).

〜てしまう

Shows an undesirable or regrettable result (“end up…/unfortunately…”).

〜につながる

Expresses an (often objective) causal link (“lead to/result in”).

〜ほうがいい

A mild suggestion/advice (“it’s better to…”), suitable for casual conversation.

〜べきだ

A strong claim or moral recommendation (“should/ought to”); best supported with reasons and examples.

〜ようにする

Describes making something a habit or intentional effort (“make an effort to…”).

一方で

Introduces another side of the same issue (“on the other hand”), useful for balancing pros/cons.

しかし／けれども

Connectors that signal contrast or a turn (“however/but”).

つまり

Signals a rephrasing or conclusion (“in other words/that is to say”).

例えば

Introduces a concrete example (“for example”).

気候変動（きこうへんどう）

Climate change; not only warming, but shifts in temperature/precipitation patterns and more extreme weather.

極端な気象

Extreme weather events such as heavy rain, droughts, and stronger typhoons.

温室効果ガス

Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO₂) that trap heat and contribute to global warming.

化石燃料

Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas); a major source of greenhouse-gas emissions.

再生可能エネルギー（さいせいかのうエネルギー）

Renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.); environmentally favorable but may raise stable-supply issues depending on conditions.

省エネ（省エネルギー）

Energy conservation; reducing energy use through habits, efficiency, and technology.

植林・再森林化

Tree planting/reforestation; helps absorb CO₂ and can reduce erosion and disaster risks (landslides/flood impacts).

3R

A waste/resource framework: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—often emphasizing that Reduce is most effective.

Reduce（減らす）

Reducing consumption and waste at the source (e.g., buying less, avoiding unnecessary packaging).

Reuse（再利用）

Using items again instead of throwing them away (e.g., reusable bottles and bags).

Recycle（再生利用）

Processing used materials to make them into new resources/products; helpful but not a substitute for Reduce.

分別（ぶんべつ）

Sorting garbage by type (burnable, plastics, cans, etc.); common in Japanese municipal waste systems.

もったいない

A value emphasizing avoiding waste and using things carefully; connects well to the 3R mindset.

過剰包装

Excessive packaging; often criticized for increasing plastic waste and resource use.

公害（こうがい）

Pollution-related harm to health and daily life caused by industry/urbanization (air, water, soil contamination).

大気汚染

Air pollution; can lower air quality and affect respiratory health, especially in high-traffic urban areas.

浄水（じょうすい）

Water purification/treatment; technology and systems that help maintain safe water quality.

海洋汚染（かいようおせん）

Marine pollution; often linked to plastic waste moving from cities to rivers and then into the ocean.

マイクロプラスチック

Tiny plastic fragments that persist in the environment and can enter ecosystems and food chains.

生物多様性（せいぶつたようせい）

Biodiversity; the variety of living things that support ecosystems humans also depend on.

生態系（せいたいけい）

Ecosystem; the interconnected system of organisms and their environment that maintains natural balance.

国立公園制度

A system to protect natural areas through designated national parks and related management.

持続可能な漁業

Sustainable fishing practices that protect marine life and keep fish populations viable long-term.

環太平洋火山帯

The Pacific Ring of Fire; a zone with frequent earthquakes/volcanoes, explaining why Japan has many earthquakes.

東日本大震災（2011年）

The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami; a key example of how earthquakes can trigger cascading disasters.

防災（ぼうさい）

Disaster preparedness; planning and actions by households, schools, communities, and government to reduce damage.

備蓄（びちく）

Emergency stockpiling (food, water, supplies) as part of preparedness.

避難訓練（ひなんくんれん）

Evacuation drills; common in schools and communities to practice safe response during disasters.

ハザードマップ

Hazard maps that show disaster risks (flooding, landslides, etc.) and support evacuation planning.

耐震建築（たいしんけんちく）

Earthquake-resistant construction designed to reduce building damage during earthquakes.

復興（ふっこう）

Recovery and rebuilding after disasters, including infrastructure, livelihoods, and community reconstruction.

心のケア

Mental-health support after disasters (stress, anxiety, trauma), viewed as part of long-term recovery.

透明性（とうめいせい）

Transparency in governance; helps maintain trust by making decision-making and funding clearer and accountable.

市民参加（しみんさんか）

Civic participation beyond voting (gathering information, voicing opinions, volunteering, NPO and local activities).

国際協力（こくさいきょうりょく）

International cooperation needed for cross-border issues (environment, health, migration) that no country can solve alone.

少子高齢化（しょうしこうれいか）

A demographic shift where fewer children are born and the elderly population grows, affecting labor supply and social services.