（Photo)The Japanese band SMAP performing with the actress Chiling Lin in Beijing in 2011.
〇NEWS
An Aging Boy Band Calls It Quits, but Japan Can’t Let Go
SMAP:解散を宣言するが、日本はそうさせない
[NEWYORK TIMES AUG. 19, 2016]
TOKYO — For nearly three decades, millions of Japanese have clamored for their every album, lined up with breathless anticipation for their concerts and gathered on Monday nights for their hit television show.
Now, the nation is awash with anguish over word that SMAP — Japan’s longest-running boy band, if it can still be called that with its youngest member pushing 40 — is splitting up.
The news has dominated newspaper headlines and television talk shows since the band’s announcement this month. Even the mayor of Tokyo and two members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet have weighed in. One said he was worried about the effect on the Japanese economy, the world’s third-largest.
“We will not let them stop!” a grieving fan wrote in one of more than a dozen petitions on change.org pleading with the aging heartthrobs to remain together. “If we let them go and disband, it means Japan is finished.”
To understand the bedlam unfolding here, think of the Beatles’ breaking up, the airing of the final episode of “Seinfeld” and the “conscious uncoupling” of Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin all rolled into one — the end of an era on the Japanese cultural landscape.
(一部略）
Each of the band’s members has issued a written statement, but so far only two have spoken in public about the split, apologizing on their weekly radio shows for surprising fans with the announcement.
Writing in Josei Seven, a weekly magazine, the cultural critic and columnist Akio Nakamori asked if the performers were being muzzled.
“Just recently the emperor talked about the abdication,” Mr. Nakamori wrote, referring to the televised address in which Emperor Akihito expressed his desire to retire. “It was such an unusual thing. He decided to talk to the people. I wonder if SMAP is more untouchable than the imperial family? They should at least have a press conference or even a recorded video, and directly talk to fans.”
〇基礎３
Episode 14 What’s S’meres?
L-53 A popular snack in the U.S.
▢スポーツ、料理などの一連の動作や行為の手順を理解し説明できる。
まず、マシュマロをあぶって焼きます。それから、そのマシュマロをチョコレートの上にのせます。それから2枚のグラハムクラッカーではさみます。
First roast a marshmallow , Then, put it on top of chocolate. Then, put those between two graham crackers.
☑手順を説明する際には、first, …then….といった「つなぎ語（connector）」を上手に使いましょう。
☑手順を表すつなぎ語類にはfirst, second, third, next, after, finallyなどがあります。
〇ジョブ基礎
Case 1 社内の変化を探れ
Chad: Things have changed around here.
Yumi: Aki you should go ask Mr. Miki about this company.
Aki : 最近どうなっているのか教えてもらえますか？
Miki : After you left, the board decided to merge with SSH, Super Strict Holding
s.
*merge 合併する
Can you bring me up to speed?
++++
bring ～up to speed は「～に最新情報を与える」。グループのなかで誰かが「遅れて」います。その人をみんなのスピード（speed）まで( up to )引っ張りあげるということ。
up to は他にも up to now(今まで) up to a point(完全ではないがある点まではね)といったように使われる頻用コンビネーション。あるポイント・レベルに近づく動きが連想される。
Another Option
Could you update me on what’s been going on?
(どうなっているか最新情報をいただけませんか？)
Updateは「誰かに最新情報を与える」と言う意味で使うことができます。
最初のonは「～について」aboutのようにアバウトでなくピンポイント。
go onは「進行する」そこから「起こる・続く」
コメントありがとうございます。
SMAPのグループとしての歌や映像は今後とも生き続けるだろうと思いますし、30年も続ける方に無理があるように思いました。それぞれ新たな道で活躍してほしい。