Hello, this is Mog.
Have you ever wanted to read Japanese news in Japanese, but found it too difficult?
You're not alone. The Japanese used in news reports is a whole different world from everyday Japanese. The vocabulary is formal, the sentences are long, and kanji just keep coming one after another.
But don't worry! There are services made just for learners like you.
📢 Important Notice: NHK Easy Japanese News
What Was NHK Easy Japanese News?
NHK Easy Japanese News was a news service for Japanese language learners, provided by NHK, Japan's public broadcasting organization.
NHK is Japan's public broadcaster — similar to the BBC in the UK or PBS in the US. It is funded by a licensing fee called "jushinryo" (受信料), and in principle, anyone in Japan who owns a television is required to pay this fee.
The service, true to its name, delivered news in "yasashii kotoba" (やさしいことば), meaning simple, easy-to-understand language. Here's what made it so popular among learners:
- Furigana (kana readings) on every kanji
- Difficult words replaced with simpler alternatives
- Tap on proper nouns (names, places) to see explanations
- Audio reading of each news article
- Completely free and open to everyone
For Japanese language learners, it was truly an ideal resource.
Why Is It No Longer Available?
In 2025, NHK's online services underwent major changes.
Until then, NHK's web services were freely accessible to anyone — including those who hadn't signed up for a license fee contract and those living outside Japan. However, from 2025 onward, NHK's online content became restricted to NHK license fee subscribers only.
The background to this change lies in Japan's shifting media landscape. As more people move away from traditional TV viewing and turn to online streaming, NHK has been working to secure funding from those who enjoy its content online — even if they don't own a television.
Who Can Still Use It?
- 🇯🇵 Living in Japan and paying NHK's license fee → You can still access it
- 🌏 Living outside Japan → No longer accessible
- 📺 Living in Japan but not subscribed → No longer accessible
It's a shame to lose such a wonderful resource. But don't give up! There are still free Japanese news sites out there, made especially for language learners.
🗞️ My Top 3 Free Japanese News Sites for Learners
1. Yasashii Asahi Shimbun (やさしい朝日新聞)
This learner-friendly news site is run by The Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's leading national newspapers, known for its reliable and in-depth reporting.
Features
- News written in simple Japanese
- A slider at the top of the page lets you toggle furigana on or off
- Option to add spaces between words, making sentences easier to parse
- Completely free to use
With its furigana toggle and word-spacing display, the site is thoughtfully designed with learners in mind. Recommended for beginner to intermediate learners.
2. Nishinippon Shimbun me – Easy Japanese (西日本新聞me やさしい日本語)
🔗 https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/theme/easy_japanese/
This easy Japanese news section comes from the Nishinippon Shimbun, a regional newspaper based in Kyushu, western Japan.
Features
- News written in simple Japanese with furigana
- Also includes articles at native-level Japanese, great for leveling up
- Completely free to use
The ability to read both simplified and standard-level articles makes this a flexible resource — you can start easy and challenge yourself as your skills grow.
3. Kahoku Shimpo – Easy Japanese News (河北新報 やさしいにほんごニュース)
🔗 https://kahoku.news/easyjapanese/
This site focuses on local news from Miyagi Prefecture and the Tohoku region, written for Japanese language learners.
Features
- News written in simple Japanese with furigana
- Audio playback button at the top of the page — read along as you listen
- Furigana toggle via a slider
- Downloadable worksheet PDFs for practice
One standout feature is the worksheet section. Accessible via the button at the bottom right of the page, you can download free PDF worksheets with true/false questions and fill-in-the-blank exercises based on the news you just read. The audio is slow and clear, making it perfect for listening practice too.
Do You Still Read a Print Newspaper?
By the way, do you read a print newspaper?
Until 2024, I subscribed to my local paper, the Kyoto Shimbun. It was really handy — I could catch local event listings and even receive complimentary tickets to art exhibitions sponsored by the newspaper.
But as my days got busier, it became harder to find time to sit down and spread out those large pages. I started skimming the news on my phone instead, and eventually switched to a paid online news service. I have a feeling quite a few people have made the same shift.
Recently, though, a friend of mine started subscribing to a print newspaper again. She says that taking the time to read the columns is a truly luxurious and enriching experience.
It made me stop and think about how I spend my time.
We hope you enjoy reading Japanese news as part of your learning journey!
At "Here in Japan," local working mom Mog shares the everyday life and culture of Japan from an insider's perspective. Feel free to explore more articles!
