Japanese Ingenuity: The Motivation Pen for Grown-ups

Vocabulary

• Old-fashioned
• Gadget
• Encouraging
• Crowdfunding
• Innovative

Article

In a world filled with screens and smartphones, writing by hand can seem slow and old-fashioned. Many people wonder why they should write with a pen when typing on a keyboard is so much faster. However, a new device from Japan is making hand-writing exciting again by turning it into a game!

The Otona no Yaruki Pen, or “Motivation Pen for Grown-ups,” is produced by Kokuyo, a company based in Osaka. Although it is called a pen, it is actually a small gadget that attaches to a regular pen or pencil. This device has sensors that detect vibrations when you write. The more you write, the more your “motivation power” increases. Interestingly, the device even changes color the longer you write!

When connected to a smartphone, your “motivation power” transforms into points that you can use to play games on an app. This feature makes writing not only productive but also enjoyable.

Kokuyo first introduced a similar pen in 2019 called the Shukudai Yaruki Pen, or “Homework Motivation Pen,” which was aimed at encouraging children to complete their homework. Many adults began to use it, prompting Kokuyo to create a version specifically for grown-ups.

Initially, the new pen was launched on a crowdfunding site called Makuake. Kokuyo aimed to raise 500,000 yen (about $3,300) for the device. Remarkably, within just eight hours, they had raised around 35 million yen (about $230,000)!

Due to this overwhelming success, Kokuyo plans to sell the pen on its website. If you’ve been struggling to stay motivated while writing, this innovative pen could be the perfect solution for you!

Summarize the article in your own words.

Speaking

• What is your opinion about this new gadget?
• What advantages can a pen like this have?
• What disadvantages could there be?
• How often do you write with an pen?
• Do you prefer texting or writing on paper?

Writing

• Imagine that you have been hired to promote this Motivation Pen for Grown-Ups. You must write a text promoting it.

Listening

• Describe what happened in this video. Can you read cursive writing? What would you say to the woman?