This book was created for the purpose of developing Japanese language proficiency in the areas of study and research, and the learners themselves develop various abilities through activities such as searching for themes related to a certain topic, doing research, considering ideas, and making presentations.

The topics should those that can be understood and shared by people from various countries, even if the learners’ backgrounds, interests, and specialties are diverse, and consequently, the book looks at the following five subjects: “Food Culture,” “Work,” Lifestyle and Religion,” “Recycling,” and “Gender.”

Changes in this edition:

“Information 1: Graphs” - All chapters:
1. Food Culture: 9 changes
2. Work: 7 changes
3. Lifestyle and Religion: 8 changes
4. Recycling: 5 changes
5. Gender: 10 changes
“Information (Data?) 2: Reading Material” -
1. Food Culture
5. Gender