Vocabulary
Generations/ 世代（名詞） – People of different ages in a family
Three generations lived together in the same house.
3世代が同じ家で一緒に暮らしていました。
Collective house/ コレクティブハウス（共同住宅）（名詞) – A home where people have private rooms but share common spaces
A collective house allows people to live together and support each other.
コレクティブハウスでは、人々が共に暮らし、支え合うことができます。
Private/ プライベートな・個別の（形容詞） – For one person or family only
Each family has a private apartment.
それぞれの家族にはプライベートな住居があります。
Pandemic/ パンデミック（感染症の世界的流行）（名詞） – A global outbreak of a disease
The pandemic made it difficult to meet other people.
Belonging/ 居場所（名詞） – Feeling accepted and part of a group
He felt a strong sense of belonging in the community.
住人の中には、この家が自分の居場所だと感じている人もいます。
Article
A Collective House in Tokyo Builds Community Across Generations
Family life in Japan has changed over time. In the past, many generations lived together in one home. Today, people live in many different ways, including alone, in small families, or with friends they choose as family. One place in Tokyo shows a new way of living called a collective house.
Kankan Mori is a collective house in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. People of different ages live there, including single adults, families with children, and elderly residents. Everyone has their own private apartment, but they also share large spaces such as a kitchen, dining hall, and children’s play area. Sometimes, residents cook and eat together during “common meals,” which helps them connect.
Life at Kankan Mori feels like a big family. Children talk freely with adults, and older residents enjoy spending time with younger people. Parents support each other with childcare, and single residents feel safer knowing someone is always nearby. During the COVID-19 pandemic, residents helped each other by delivering food and checking on those who were sick.
Many people choose to live at Kankan Mori to reduce loneliness. Some residents say the house gives them a sense of purpose and belonging. Others like having the freedom to spend time alone or with others whenever they choose. This collective house shows how people can create a warm community, even without traditional family structures.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions following the article in English.
- What is a collective house?
- Who lives at Kankan Mori?
- What shared activities help residents connect with each other?
- How did residents support each other during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Summary
In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.
Discussion
Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.
- Would you like to live in a collective house? Why or why not?
- How is this lifestyle different from living in a traditional family home?
- Can collective housing help reduce loneliness in modern society?
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