Japan’s government has given the green light to sell new fighter jets that it’s developing with the UK and Italy. This is a big change for Japan, which has always been against selling weapons to other countries. But now, they’re allowing it as long as the buyer is a country they have a defense agreement with and there’s no war happening. Japan is worried about China and North Korea, so they want to strengthen their military. Each sale of these fighter jets will need to be approved by the government.

In December 2022, Japan teamed up with the UK and Italy to create a new fighter jet called the Tempest. These jets will have cool stuff like artificial intelligence and advanced sensors to help the pilots. This is the first time Japan has worked with a country other than the US on a defense project. They plan to start using these jets in 2035. The decision to sell them to other countries comes before Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s trip to the US in April. He wants to show that Japan is a good ally to the US and is ready to work together on defense.

Prime Minister Kishida says it’s important to let other countries buy these warplanes so that Japan can be trusted in future defense projects. The government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, says it’s really important to keep Japan’s defenses secure and make sure these fighter jets with important features get made. But Defense Minister Minoru Kihara wants to make it clear that Japan still believes in peace and will be very careful about who they sell these jets to.

Japan has always been against war and using force to solve problems ever since World War Two. Their military is only for self-defense, and they used to not allow selling weapons to other countries. But in 2014, they started to relax the rules and now they’re allowing the sale of these fighter jets. This is a big change for Japan and shows that they’re moving away from their old beliefs.

Original news source: Japan to sell fighter jets in break from pacifism (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Each team will take turns acting out a word or phrase related to the article (e.g. fighter jet, defense agreement, military). The other teams will try to guess the word or phrase within a time limit. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to write a summary of the article in their own words. They should focus on the main points and key details. Afterward, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups. Encourage discussion and comparisons of different summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article (e.g. “Japan should sell fighter jets to other countries” or “Countries should prioritize peace over military strength”). Have students indicate whether they agree or disagree with each statement by raising their hand or using a show of fingers. Once the poll is complete, facilitate a class discussion to explore the reasons behind their opinions.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue the pros of Japan selling fighter jets to other countries, and the other group to argue the cons. Give each group time to prepare their arguments, and then have a debate where each group presents their points. Encourage students to support their arguments with evidence from the article.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students work in pairs or small groups to discuss and make predictions about the future of Japan’s military and defense projects. They should consider factors such as the potential impact of selling fighter jets, the role of technology in warfare, and the geopolitical situation in East Asia. Afterward, have groups share their predictions with the class and engage in a discussion about different perspectives.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the reason behind Japan’s decision to sell new fighter jets to other countries?
2. Who did Japan collaborate with to develop the new fighter jet called the Tempest?
3. When does Japan plan to start using these new fighter jets?
4. Why does Prime Minister Kishida believe it is important for Japan to let other countries buy these warplanes?
5. What is Defense Minister Minoru Kihara’s stance on Japan’s decision to sell these fighter jets?
6. Why has Japan decided to change its stance on selling weapons to other countries?
7. What is the purpose of Japan’s military according to the article?
8. How does Japan’s decision to sell these fighter jets show a change in their beliefs?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

(1)______’s government has given the (2)______ light to sell new fighter jets that it’s (3)______ with the UK and Italy. This is a big change for Japan, which has always been against selling weapons to other countries. But now, they’re allowing it as long as the buyer is a country they have a defense agreement with and there’s no war happening. Japan is (4)______ about China and North Korea, so they want to strengthen their military. Each sale of these fighter jets will need to be approved by the government.

In December 2022, Japan teamed up with the UK and Italy to create a new (5)______ jet called the (6)______. These jets will have cool stuff like artificial intelligence and (7)______ sensors to help the pilots. This is the first time Japan has worked with a country other than the US on a (8)______ project. They plan to start using these jets in 2035. The decision to sell them to other countries comes before Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s trip to the US in April. He wants to show that Japan is a good ally to the US and is ready to work together on defense.

Prime Minister Kishida says it’s important to let other countries buy these (9)______ so that Japan can be (10)______ in (11)______ defense projects. The government spokesperson, (12)______ Hayashi, says it’s really important to keep Japan’s defenses secure and make sure these fighter jets with important features get made. But Defense Minister Minoru Kihara wants to make it clear that Japan still believes in peace and will be very (13)______ about who they sell these jets to.

Japan has always been against war and using force to (14)______ problems ever since (15)______ War Two. Their military is only for self-defense, and they used to not (16)______ selling weapons to other countries. But in 2014, they started to relax the rules and now they’re allowing the sale of these fighter jets. This is a big change for Japan and shows that they’re moving away from their old beliefs.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about Japan selling fighter jets to other countries?
2. How would you feel if your country had a defense agreement with Japan and bought fighter jets from them?
3. Do you think it’s important for Japan to strengthen its military? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the use of artificial intelligence and advanced sensors in fighter jets?
5. How do you think the US will react to Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets to other countries?
6. Do you think Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets will improve its relationship with the US? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if your country bought fighter jets from Japan?
8. What is the significance of Japan working with the UK and Italy on a defense project?
9. How do you think China and North Korea will react to Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets?
10. Do you think it’s important for Japan to be trusted in future defense projects? Why or why not?
11. How do you think Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets will impact its relationship with China and North Korea?
12. Do you like the idea of using artificial intelligence in fighter jets? Why or why not?
13. How do you think Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets reflects its stance on peace and war?
14. Do you believe that Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets is a move away from its old beliefs? Why or why not?
15. How do you think Japan’s decision to sell fighter jets will affect its international reputation?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. defense
2. artificial
3. sensors
4. ally
5. warplanes
6. spokesperson
7. secure
8. features
9. peace
10. force
11. self-defense
12. weapons
13. relax
14. beliefs
15. military

Meanings:
(A) Made by humans, not natural
(B) Safe from danger or threats
(C) A person who speaks on behalf of an organization or group
(D) Protecting oneself from harm
(E) The armed forces of a country, responsible for defending it from attacks
(F) Devices that detect or measure things
(G) The state of not being in conflict or war
(H) A friend, especially a country that helps another in times of need
(I) Protection against harm or attack
(J) To become less strict or severe
(K) Tools or equipment designed for fighting or warfare
(L) Aircraft designed for combat
(M) Special characteristics or functions of something
(N) Ideas or opinions that are held by someone
(O) Strength or power used to make someone do something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why is Japan allowing the sale of new fighter jets?
(a) They want to make money by selling weapons to other countries.
(b) They want to strengthen their military due to concerns about China and North Korea.
(c) They want to show off their advanced technology to the world.
(d) They want to form a closer alliance with the UK and Italy.

2. What is the name of the new fighter jet developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy?
(a) Lightning
(b) Thunder
(c) Storm
(d) Tempest

3. When will Japan start using these new fighter jets?
(a) 2035
(b) 2022
(c) 2023
(d) 2040

4. Why does Prime Minister Kishida want to sell these fighter jets to other countries?
(a) To make money for Japan’s economy.
(b) To show off Japan’s military power.
(c) To build trust for future defense projects.
(d) To form a stronger alliance with the US.

5. What is Japan’s stance on war and using force to solve problems?
(a) They are against war and using force.
(b) They believe in using force to solve problems.
(c) They are neutral and don’t have a stance.
(d) They used to be against war, but now they support it.

6. What is the condition for Japan to sell these fighter jets to other countries?
(a) The buyer must be a country that is at war with Japan.
(b) The buyer must be a country that has a stronger military than Japan.
(c) The buyer must be a country that is an enemy of Japan.
(d) The buyer must be a country they have a defense agreement with and there’s no war happening.

7. Who will need to approve each sale of these fighter jets?
(a) The military
(b) The government
(c) The United Nations
(d) The Prime Minister

8. What is the main reason Japan wants to strengthen its military?
(a) To become the most powerful country in the world
(b) To show off their advanced technology
(c) Concerns about China and North Korea
(d) To start a war with other countries

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Japan’s decision to sell these jets is not motivated by concerns about China and North Korea and their desire to strengthen their military.
2. The decision to sell the fighter jets to other countries is not aimed at demonstrating Japan’s commitment to being a reliable ally to the US and its readiness to collaborate on defense.
3. Japan plans to start using these jets themselves in 2035.
4. The sale of these fighter jets will only be allowed to countries with whom Japan has a defense agreement and when there is no ongoing war.
5. This is not the first time Japan has worked with a country other than the US on a defense project.
6. Japan has given permission to sell new fighter jets that it developed with the UK and Italy.
7. The fighter jets, called the Tempest, were created in collaboration with the UK and Italy and will feature advanced technology like artificial intelligence and advanced sensors.
8. This is not a significant change for Japan, as they have previously been against selling weapons to other countries.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the reason behind Japan’s decision to sell new fighter jets?
2. Who did Japan team up with to develop the new fighter jet called the Tempest?
3. When does Japan plan to start using these new fighter jets?
4. Why does Prime Minister Kishida believe it’s important for other countries to buy these warplanes?
5. How has Japan’s stance on selling weapons to other countries changed over the years?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why did Japan decide to sell new fighter jets to other countries?
– Japan decided to sell new fighter jets to strengthen its military due to concerns about China and North Korea.

2. Who did Japan collaborate with to develop the new fighter jet called the Tempest?
– Japan collaborated with the UK and Italy to develop the new fighter jet called the Tempest.

3. When does Japan plan to start using these new fighter jets?
– Japan plans to start using these new fighter jets in 2035.

4. Why does Prime Minister Kishida believe it is important for Japan to let other countries buy these warplanes?
– Prime Minister Kishida believes it is important for Japan to let other countries buy these warplanes to build trust and show readiness for future defense projects.

5. What is Defense Minister Minoru Kihara’s stance on Japan’s decision to sell these fighter jets?
– Defense Minister Minoru Kihara believes in peace and emphasizes that Japan will be cautious about who they sell these fighter jets to.

6. Why has Japan decided to change its stance on selling weapons to other countries?
– Japan has decided to change its stance on selling weapons to other countries to adapt to the current security situation and strengthen its military capabilities.

7. What is the purpose of Japan’s military according to the article?
– According to the article, the purpose of Japan’s military is solely for self-defense.

8. How does Japan’s decision to sell these fighter jets show a change in their beliefs?
– Japan’s decision to sell these fighter jets shows a change in their beliefs because they have historically been against selling weapons to other countries, but now they are allowing it to strengthen their military and adapt to the current security situation.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Japan
(2) green
(3) developing
(4) worried
(5) fighter
(6) Tempest
(7) advanced
(8) defense
(9) warplanes
(10) trusted
(11) future
(12) Yoshimasa
(13) careful
(14) solve
(15) World
(16) allow
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. defense
Answer: (I) Protection against harm or attack

2. artificial
Answer: (A) Made by humans, not natural

3. sensors
Answer: (F) Devices that detect or measure things

4. ally
Answer: (H) A friend, especially a country that helps another in times of need

5. warplanes
Answer: (L) Aircraft designed for combat

6. spokesperson
Answer: (C) A person who speaks on behalf of an organization or group

7. secure
Answer: (B) Safe from danger or threats

8. features
Answer: (M) Special characteristics or functions of something

9. peace
Answer: (G) The state of not being in conflict or war

10. force
Answer: (O) Strength or power used to make someone do something

11. self-defense
Answer: (D) Protecting oneself from harm

12. weapons
Answer: (K) Tools or equipment designed for fighting or warfare

13. relax
Answer: (J) To become less strict or severe

14. beliefs
Answer: (N) Ideas or opinions that are held by someone

15. military
Answer: (E) The armed forces of a country, responsible for defending it from attacks
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why is Japan allowing the sale of new fighter jets?
Answer: (b) They want to strengthen their military due to concerns about China and North Korea.

2. What is the name of the new fighter jet developed by Japan, the UK, and Italy?
Answer: (d) Tempest

3. When will Japan start using these new fighter jets?
Answer: (a) 2035

4. Why does Prime Minister Kishida want to sell these fighter jets to other countries?
Answer: (c) To build trust for future defense projects.

5. What is Japan’s stance on war and using force to solve problems?
Answer: (a) They are against war and using force.

6. What is the condition for Japan to sell these fighter jets to other countries?
Answer: (d) The buyer must be a country they have a defense agreement with and there’s no war happening.

7. Who will need to approve each sale of these fighter jets?
Answer: (b) The government

8. What is the main reason Japan wants to strengthen its military?
Answer: (c) Concerns about China and North Korea
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Japan’s decision to sell these jets is not motivated by concerns about China and North Korea and their desire to strengthen their military. (Answer: False)
2. The decision to sell the fighter jets to other countries is not aimed at demonstrating Japan’s commitment to being a reliable ally to the US and its readiness to collaborate on defense. (Answer: False)
3. Japan plans to start using these jets themselves in 2035. (Answer: True)
4. The sale of these fighter jets will only be allowed to countries with whom Japan has a defense agreement and when there is no ongoing war. (Answer: True)
5. This is not the first time Japan has worked with a country other than the US on a defense project. (Answer: False)
6. Japan has given permission to sell new fighter jets that it developed with the UK and Italy. (Answer: True)
7. The fighter jets, called the Tempest, were created in collaboration with the UK and Italy and will feature advanced technology like artificial intelligence and advanced sensors. (Answer: True)
8. This is not a significant change for Japan, as they have previously been against selling weapons to other countries. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧