principal

Before the students eat their school lunches, the principal tastes the meal earlier than the other teachers and students to check its safety. This is called a “kenshoku” (test tasting), a vital role in which the principal personally samples the meal to confirm there are no issues such as allergies or foreign objects. So that children can eat their school lunches with peace of mind every day, the principal quietly protects the safety of the meals.

uncle

A fish called “ojisan” actually inhabits Japanese waters and elsewhere. This fish is characterized by a slightly reddish body and something like whiskers. The name “ojisan” (meaning “middle-aged man” or “uncle”) comes from these whiskers, which make it look like an older man. It’s also known as ojisan among anglers and in markets, and it’s popular as an edible fish.

red

A hippo’s sweat is very unusual and red in color. This red sweat is also called “blood sweat,” but it doesn’t actually contain blood. Hippos live under strong sunlight, and this fluid acts as a sunscreen and has antibacterial properties, so it plays an important role in helping hippos stay healthy.

Sun

The Japanese national flag is also called the Nisshoki, and the red circle in the center symbolizes the sun. As Japan has long been known as the “land of the rising sun,” the sun has been held in great esteem. It is a symbol of life, hope, and a bright future, and it is deeply connected to Japan’s nature and culture.

cat

There are 12 animals used in the Chinese zodiac, but the cat is not among them. There’s a famous folktale that says the cat was invited but arrived late because it was tricked by the rat, and this is why the cat is well known as an animal not included in the zodiac.

black

When we think of polar bears, we tend to imagine them covered in fluffy white fur, but the skin underneath is actually black. Their black skin helps absorb sunlight efficiently and maintain body heat. Thanks to this black skin and their transparent, light-transmitting fur, polar bears can live in extremely cold places like the Arctic without succumbing to the cold.

Othello

Othello is a board game devised in Japan in the 1970s. It was originally popularized by a Japanese inventor, who refined and organized the rules based on the game “Reversi.” Today it is enjoyed not only in Japan but around the world, yet its origins lie in Japan.