Breaking News English Lesson: Sanae Takaichi

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Japan elects its first ever female prime minister (23rd October 2025)

The Reading / Listening - Sanae Takaichi - Level 3

Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected as the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to win the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job security, a falling birth rate, and how to care for the increasing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led an interesting life. At university, she played drums in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested in motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on a variety show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender equality and diversity. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor ahead of a man.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Sanae Takaichi - Level 0, Sanae Takaichi - Level 1 or Sanae Takaichi - Level 2

Sources

https://apnews.com/article/japan-first-female-prime-minister-vote-trump-24b4a5e2a2b777139de66e38665ced0d
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251021/p2g/00m/0na/030000c
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16104830
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanae_Takaichi

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. POLITICAL LEADERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about political leaders. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
prime minister / votes / parliament / opponent / power / alliance / right-wing / prices
an interesting life / playing the drums / sport / motorbike / gender equality / surname
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WOMEN: Students A strongly believe female leaders are better; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LEADERS: Who are the best leaders in these areas? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Who	Why?
National
International
Business
Religion
Tech
Human rights

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. POLITICS: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "politics". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ISSUES: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important issues at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Food prices
Jobs
Falling birth rates
Care for old people
Gender equality
Same-sex marriage
Immigration
Crime

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	elected	a.	Show your choice or opinion in an election.
2.	vote	b.	A person or team you compete or fight against in a contest or election.
3.	parliament	c.	The number of babies born in a country in a year.
4.	opponent	d.	The building where the leaders of a country meet, talk, and make or change laws.
5.	former	e.	Having conservative or traditional political ideas.
6.	right-wing	f.	Chosen by people in a vote for a job or position.
7.	birth rate	g.	Someone who had a job or position in the past.

Paragraph 2

8.	support	h.	Went to live in a new house, town or country.
9.	moved	i.	The work and activities of the government, or the way a country is run.
10.	politics	j.	Another word for family name.
11.	hope	k.	When men and women are treated the same.
12.	gender equality	l.	Want something to happen or be true.
13.	diversity	m.	Help or agree with someone or something.
14.	surname	n.	Having many different kinds of people, ideas, animals and flowers, etc.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Japan had 103 prime ministers before Sanae Takaichi was elected. T / F
Sanae Takaichi's opponent got over 200 votes in the election. T / F
The prime minister before Sanae Takaichi was leader for two years. T / F
Sanae Takaichi made an alliance with a left-wing party. T / F
Sanae Takaichi liked playing drums and riding motorbikes. T / F
Sanae Takaichi lived in the US for a while. T / F
Sanae Takaichi is a strong supporter of same-sex marriage. T / F
Takaichi believes people should have separate surnames after marrying. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

elected
opponent
former
enough
tough
supports
moved
background
equality
couple

past
sufficient
partners
rival
follows
fairness
chosen
difficult
relocated
ex-

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

She won 237
She has a tough job
people are unhappy about rising
a falling birth
care for the increasing number
Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led
She was interested
she will support gender equality and
same-
married

ahead of her
sex marriage
of old people
an interesting life
prices
in motorcycles
couples
rate
diversity
votes

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

opponent
head
prices
elected
tough
increasing
former
alliance

Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was (1) ______________________________________________ as the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her (2) ______________________________________________, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from (3) ______________________________________________ leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for just one year. Takaichi is (4) ______________________________________________ of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to win the election, she had to make an (5) ______________________________________________ with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a (6) ______________________________________________ job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising (7) ______________________________________________, job security, a falling birth rate, and how to care for the (8) ______________________________________________ number of old people.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

equality
moved
played
ahead
variety
led
couples
supports

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has (9) ______________________________________________ an interesting life. At university, she (10) ______________________________________________ drums in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and (11) ______________________________________________ the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested in motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi (12) ______________________________________________ to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on a (13) ______________________________________________ show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender (14) ______________________________________________ and diversity. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married (15) ______________________________________________. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor (16) ______________________________________________ of a man.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in ______
     a. the lower hose
     b. the lower house
     c. the lower homes
     d. the flower house
2) Her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda, ______
     a. one 149 votes
     b. win 149 votes
     c. won 149 vote
     d. won 149 votes
3) To get enough votes to win the election, she had to make an alliance with ______
     a. the bright wing
     b. the fright wing
     c. the right wing
     d. the light wing
4) She has a tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy ______
     a. about rising price
     b. about rising prices
     c. about rise in prices
     d. about risen prices
5) and how to care for the increasing number ______
     a. of old people
     b. of age people
     c. of fold people
     d. off old people

6) At university, she played drums in a heavy ______
     a. metal lock band
     b. mettle rock band
     c. metal lock brand
     d. metal rock band
7) In 1987, Takaichi moved to the USA and wrote books ______
     a. about American politic
     b. about American politician
     c. about American politics
     d. about American political
8) In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on ______
     a. a variety show
     b. a varieties show
     c. a various show
     d. a vary tea show
9) Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will ______
     a. support gander equality
     b. support agenda equality
     c. support gender equality
     d. support Gen Z equality
10) she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames ______
     a. for married coups
     b. for married couples
     c. for married couplets
     d. for married couple

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She (1) __________________________________________________ the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the (2) __________________________________________________ Japan's Diet (parliament). Her opponent, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes (3) __________________________________________________ leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To (4) __________________________________________________ to win the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a (5) __________________________________________________ of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job security, a falling birth rate, and how to (6) __________________________________________________ increasing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has (7) __________________________________________________ life. At university, she played drums in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested in motorcycles (8) __________________________________________________ powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on (9) __________________________________________________. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender (10) __________________________________________________. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing (11) __________________________________________________ married couples. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor (12) __________________________________________________ man.

Comprehension questions

How many votes did Sanae Takaichi win to become prime minister?
How long was former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba in power for?
What kind of party did Sanae Takaichi make an alliance with?
What kind of job does the article say Sanae Takaichi has?
What are Japanese people worried about the security of?
What kind of life does the article say Sanae Takaichi has had?
What two sports does Sanae Takaichi like?
What did Sanae Takaichi write books about?
What did Sanae Takaichi work as in 1989?
What do women hope Sanae Takaichi will support besides diversity?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many votes did Sanae Takaichi win to become prime minister?
a) 273
b) 237
c) 149
d) 194
2) How long was former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba in power for?
a) two years
b) 18 months
c) six months
d) one year
3) What kind of party did Sanae Takaichi make an alliance with?
a) a right-wing party
b) a left-wing party
c) a green party
d) a centre-ground party
4) What kind of job does the article say Sanae Takaichi has?
a) a great one
b) an interesting one
c) a tough one
d) a powerful one
5) What are Japanese people worried about the security of?
a) the streets
b) jobs
c) their houses
d) schools

6) What kind of life does the article say Sanae Takaichi has had?
a) an interesting one
b) a full one
c) a successful one
d) a great one
7) What two sports does Sanae Takaichi like?
a) soccer and tennis
b) sumo and baseball
c) soccer and baseball
d) tennis and sumo
8) What did Sanae Takaichi write books about?
a) politics
b) travel
c) Japanese history
d) food
9) What did Sanae Takaichi work as in 1989?
a) a TV anchor
b) a bullet train driver
c) a banker
d) a teacher
10) What do women hope Sanae Takaichi will support besides diversity?
a) healthcare
b) single parents
c) new businesses
d) gender and equality

Role play

Role A – Food Prices
You think the price of food is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, crime or gender equality.

Role B – Job Security
You think job security is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): the price of food, crime or gender equality.

Role C – Crime
You think crime is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, the price of food or gender equality.

Role D – Gender Equality
You think gender equality is the most important issue in your country today. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their issues aren't as serious. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): job security, crime or the price of food.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'female'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'prime minister'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

ever

lower

takes

power

tough

old

life

university

interested

wrote

background

agree

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Sanae Takaichi

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'politics'?
What do you think of your country's leader?
Who is the world's best national leader?
Are male or female leaders best?
Would you be a good leader of your country?
What would you like your country's leader to do?
How worried are you about rising prices?
How worried are you about job security?
What advice do you have for Sanae Takaichi?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'prime minister'?
What do you think about what you read?
How interesting a life have you had?
How important is it for a leader to have an interesting background?
What musical instruments can you play?
What sports are you interested in?
How is gender equality in your country?
Should people keep their at-birth surname after getting married?
What questions would you like to ask Sanae Takaichi?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Japan has its first (1) ____ female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected (2) ____ the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her (3) ____, Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was (4) ____ power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to (5) ____ the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job security, a falling (6) ____ rate, and how to care for the increasing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led an interesting life. At university, she played drums in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport and (7) ____ the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interested (8) ____ motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on a (9) ____ show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender equality and (10) ____. However, she opposes same-sex (11) ____ and allowing separate surnames for married couples. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor ahead (12) ____ a man.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) never (b) ever (c) every (d) even
(a) was (b) as (c) that (d) has
(a) opposes (b) opposition (c) oppose (d) opponent
(a) at (b) in (c) of (d) on
(a) winner (b) win (c) wins (d) winning
(a) birthday (b) born (c) birth (d) births
(a) supporter (b) supporting (c) supports (d) support
(a) at (b) of (c) in (d) by
(a) varying (b) various (c) vary (d) variety
(a) diversity (b) diverse (c) diversion (d) diversify
(a) marriage (b) marry (c) marrying (d) married
(a) at (b) to (c) of (d) on

Spelling

Paragraph 1

She was ecteeld
Her tenopopn, Yoshihiko Noda
takes over from merfro leader Shigeru Ishiba
she had to make an alnciael
She has a tgohu job ahead of her
job screutiy

Paragraph 2

ppsoturs the Gamba Osaka soccer team
a TV anchor on a aetriyv show
gender equality and ietdiysvr
she opposes same-sex rgearaim
separate mrausnse for married couples
a woman should become eeoprrm

Put the text back together

(    )   104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her opponent,
(    )   band. She likes sport and supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball
(    )   couples. In addition, she does not agree that a women should become emperor ahead of a man.
(    )   equality and diversity. However, she opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married
( 1 )   Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected as the country's
(    )   job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising prices, job
(    )   power for just one year. Takaichi is head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough
(    )   Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led an interesting life. At university, she played drums in a rock
(    )   security, a falling birth rate, and how to care for the increasing number of old people.
(    )   show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gender
(    )   team. She was interested in motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved
(    )   to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as a TV anchor on a variety
(    )   votes to win the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a tough
(    )   Yoshihiko Noda, won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was in

Put the words in the right order

was He power in just for year one .
Get votes enough win to election the .
She a has job her tough of ahead .
are people Japanese about unhappy prices rising .
Care the for number increasing old of people .
played She in drums heavy a band metal .
America In, wrote she about books politics American .
Women she hope support will equality gender .
She allowing opposes surnames separate married for couples .
doesn't She that agree should women emperor be .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Japan has its first ever / every female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. She was elected as the country's 104th prime minister on Tuesday. She won 237 votes / voting in the lower house of Japan's Diet (parliament). Her oopponent, Yoshihiko Noda, win / won 149 votes. Ms Takaichi takes over / under from former leader Shigeru Ishiba. He was on / in power for just one year. Takaichi is face / head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). To get enough votes to win a / the election, she had to make an alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party. She has a though / tough job ahead of her. Japanese people are unhappy about rising / rise prices, job security, a falling birth rate, and how to care / careful for the increasing number of old people.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, has led an interesting live / life. At university, she played drums / drum in a heavy metal rock band. She likes sport / sporting and supports the Gamba Osaka soccer team and the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. She was interesting / interested in motorcycles and had a powerful Kawasaki Z400 motorbike. In 1987, Takaichi moved at / to the USA and wrote books about American politics. In 1989, she worked as / has a TV anchor on a variety show. Women in Japan hope Takaichi's background means she will support gander / gender equality and diversity. However, she supposes / opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couple / couples. In addition, she does not agree that a woman should become emperor ahead to / of a man.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

J_p_n h_s _ts f_rst _v_r f_m_l_ pr_m_ m_n_st_r. H_r n_m_ _s S_n__ T_k__ch_. Sh_ w_s _l_ct_d _s th_ c__ntry's 104th pr_m_ m_n_st_r _n T__sd_y. Sh_ w_n 237 v_t_s _n th_ l_w_r h__s_ _f J_p_n's D__t (p_rl__m_nt). H_r _pp_n_nt, Y_sh_h_k_ N_d_, w_n 149 v_t_s. Ms T_k__ch_ t_k_s _v_r fr_m f_rm_r l__d_r Sh_g_r_ _sh_b_. H_ w_s _n p_w_r f_r j_st _n_ y__r. T_k__ch_ _s h__d _f J_p_n's L_b_r_l D_m_cr_t_c P_rty (LDP). T_ g_t _n__gh v_t_s t_ w_n th_ _l_ct__n, sh_ h_d t_ m_k_ _n _ll__nc_ w_th th_ r_ght-w_ng J_p_n _nn_v_t__n P_rty. Sh_ h_s _ t__gh j_b _h__d _f h_r. J_p_n_s_ p__pl_ _r_ _nh_ppy _b__t r_s_ng pr_c_s, j_b s_c_r_ty, _ f_ll_ng b_rth r_t_, _nd h_w t_ c_r_ f_r th_ _ncr__s_ng n_mb_r _f _ld p__pl_.

S_n__ T_k__ch_, 64, h_s l_d _n _nt_r_st_ng l_f_. _t _n_v_rs_ty, sh_ pl_y_d dr_ms _n _ h__vy m_t_l r_ck b_nd. Sh_ l_k_s sp_rt _nd s_pp_rts th_ G_mb_ _s_k_ s_cc_r t__m _nd th_ H_nsh_n T_g_rs b_s_b_ll t__m. Sh_ w_s _nt_r_st_d _n m_t_rcycl_s _nd h_d _ p_w_rf_l K_w_s_k_ Z400 m_t_rb_k_. _n 1987, T_k__ch_ m_v_d t_ th_ _S_ _nd wr_t_ b__ks _b__t _m_r_c_n p_l_t_cs. _n 1989, sh_ w_rk_d _s _ TV _nch_r _n _ v_r__ty sh_w. W_m_n _n J_p_n h_p_ T_k__ch_'s b_ckgr__nd m__ns sh_ w_ll s_pp_rt g_nd_r _q__l_ty _nd d_v_rs_ty. H_w_v_r, sh_ _pp_s_s s_m_-s_x m_rr__g_ _nd _ll_w_ng s_p_r_t_ s_rn_m_s f_r m_rr__d c__pl_s. _n _dd_t__n, sh_ d__s n_t _gr__ th_t _ w_m_n sh__ld b_c_m_ _mp_r_r _h__d _f _ m_n.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

Japan has its first ever female prime minister. Her name is Sanae Takaichi. japan has its first ever female prime minister her name is sanae takaichi she was elected as the countrys 104th prime minister on tuesday she won 237 votes in the lower house of japans diet parliament her opponent yoshihiko noda won 149 votes ms takaichi takes over from former leader shigeru ishiba he was in power for just one year takaichi is head of japans liberal democratic party ldp to get enough votes to win the election she had to make an alliance with the rightwing japan innovation party she has a tough job ahead of her japanese people are unhappy about rising prices job security a falling birth rate and how to care for the increasing number of old people

sanae takaichi 64 has led an interesting life at university she played drums in a heavy metal rock band she likes sport and supports the gamba osaka soccer team and the hanshin tigers baseball team she was interested in motorcycles and had a powerful kawasaki z400 motorbike in 1987 takaichi moved to the usa and wrote books about american politics in 1989 she worked as a tv anchor on a variety show women in japan hope takaichis background means she will support gender equality and diversity however she opposes samesex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples in addition she does not agree that a woman should become emperor ahead of a man

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Japanhasitsfirsteverfemaleprimeminister.HernameisSanaeTakaichi
.Shewaselectedasthecountry's104thprimeministeronTuesday.She
won237votesinthelowerhouseofJapan'sDiet(parliament).Heroppon
ent,YoshihikoNoda,won149votes.MsTakaichitakesoverfromformerl
eaderShigeruIshiba.Hewasinpowerforjustoneyear.Takaichiisheadof
Japan'sLiberalDemocraticParty(LDP).Togetenoughvotestowintheel
ection,shehadtomakeanalliancewiththeright-wingJapanInnovation
Party.Shehasatoughjobaheadofher.Japanesepeopleareunhappyab
outrisingprices,jobsecurity,afallingbirthrate,andhowtocareforthein
creasingnumberofoldpeople.SanaeTakaichi,64,hasledaninteresting
life.Atuniversity,sheplayeddrumsinarockband.Shelikessportandsup
portstheGambaOsakasoccerteamandtheHanshinTigersbaseballtea
m.ShewasinterestedinmotorcyclesandhadapowerfulKawasakiZ400
motorbike.In1987,TakaichimovedtotheUSAandwrotebooksaboutA
mericanpolitics.In1989,sheworkedasaTVanchoronavarietyshow.W
omeninJapanhopeTakaichi'sbackgroundmeansshewillsupportgend
erequalityanddiversity.However,sheopposessame-sexmarriagea
ndallowingseparatesurnamesformarriedcouples.Inaddition,shedoe
snotagreethatawomanshouldbecomeemperoraheadofaman.

Free writing

Write about Sanae Takaichi for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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Academic writing

Women are better leaders than men. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. POLITICAL LEADERS: Make a poster about political leaders. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. TAKING TURNS: Write a magazine article about mean and women should take turns to be political leaders. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on political leaders. Ask him/her three questions about the political leader of your country. Give him/her three of your opinions of that leader. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Sanae Takaichi

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