Easy Japanese news in translation: Japan to nominate Hikone Castle for World Heritage status

The Japanese government has decided to nominate Hikone Castle in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, for registration as a Cultural World Heritage site. Hikone Castle was built in the early Edo period and was ruled by the Ii family, feudal lords who had long served the Tokugawa family. Its original castle keep from the Edo period still remains and it has been designated a national treasure. Among the castles that have already been registered as Cultural World Heritage sites is Himeji Castle in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.

Easy Japanese news is taken from the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun, a newspaper for children. This is perfect material for anyone studying Japanese who has learned hiragana and katakana. We encourage beginners to read the article in English followed by Japanese, or vice versa, to test their comprehension.

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Intermediate learners who do not need English assistance can directly access the Mainichi Shogakusei Shimbun site here. Furigana (hiragana) is added to all kanji in the text.