Bilingual News

Weekly unscripted English-Japanese news podcast. Audio is free. Transcripts sit in a paid app.

5 min read
IntermediateFreemiumEasyListeningPodcast, Web, iPhone, Android
Best for

Intermediate listeners who want unscripted bilingual news

Avoid if

You still need slow beginner Japanese

Pricing

Free podcast; paid transcript app from 360 yen per month

Platform

Podcast, Web, iPhone, Android

Ease of use

Easy

Pros

  • Intermediate listeners who want unscripted bilingual news
  • People who will play one weekly episode
  • Learners who will pay for a transcript only if they use it

Cons

  • You still need slow beginner Japanese
  • You wanted free graded news with furigana
  • A second news podcast would replace a habit that works

Bilingual News is a weekly unscripted English-Japanese news podcast by Michael and Mami. The audio is free. Transcripts and look-up while listening sit in a paid app.

This is not a YouTube product. The visit link on this page goes to bilingualnews.jp.

Who it fits

It fits intermediate listeners who can already follow slow beginner audio and want real conversation about the week’s news. Play the free episode first. Pay for text only if you will read along.

Limits

It is not NHK News Web Easy. That site stays the free daily article. Unscripted bilingual talk is a different ear job from slow news with furigana.

Sources checked

  • Bilingual News official product · Official site used for the free weekly unscripted English-Japanese news podcast by Michael and Mami.
  • Bilingual News transcripts official pricing · Official transcripts page used for the paid app that pairs audio with text from 360 yen per month.