Notes:
the Spanish Flu Epidemic スペイン風邪の(世界的)流行;
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Researchers have found that taking an aspirin a day may help reduce the chance of getting cancer. Aspirin, it seems, has proved one of the most remarkable drugs of the Twentieth century. A French chemist, Charles Gerhardt was the first to use the drug in 1853 which later became one of the most popular drugs of the last century. The popularity of aspirin grew over the first half of the 20th century after many people used it in the Spanish Flu Epidemic in 1918 which killed over 50 million people. Today it continues to be seen as the best remedy from headaches to major diseases. The word “aspirin” is well-known in Australia, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. Is it a word known to most Japanese?(by Prof. Simon Smith)
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Notes:
ghost town: 幽霊の町;
national news 全国ニュース;
scare 恐怖;
torch 懐中電灯;
creepy 気味の悪い;
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Matsue is popular for many reasons; its natural beauty, its history and local traditions. However, recently Matsue hit national news because of a new attraction – ghosts. According to the Japan Times, a ghost tour has become a popular attraction for people looking for some adventure and scares. The tour has participants carry torches and visit graveyards in the middle of the night. The tour visits places referred to in horror stories from the Meiji novelist Yakumo Koizumi. Leading it is his great-grandson who seems to share his great-grandfather’s interest in creepy places. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
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