The Sixth MUA Japanese Speech Contest

Date & Time: 13:30-16:00, Sunday, December 11, 2022
Venue: Minato City Gender-free Center “Libra” Hall

A total of eleven speakers competed in the contest this year, joined by many attendees.  We had the honor of having Mr. TAKEI Masaaki, Minato City Mayor, and Mr. URATA Mikio, Minato City Superintendent of Education．The event proceeded as follows:

1. Opening declaration:
　Ms. TAGAWA Junko, MC
2. Welcome address:
Mr. TANABE Kiichirou, President of MUA
3. Special address:
    Mr. TAKEI Masaaki, Minato City Mayor
4. Explanation of the schedule
5. Introduction of the judges

Part I: Speeches
The following eleven contestants gave speeches on their respective themes.

1. Mr. Ganesh Mithran (India)
   “Indian education system”
2. Ms. Hla Yamin OO (Myanmar)
   “Independence”
3. Mr. Li Junxi (China)
   “Read millions of books, travel thousands of miles”
4. Ms. Gyuri Kim (South Korea)
   “My favorite Japan, everyone’s favorite Japan”
5. Ms. Dhea Ceicarya Ferennita Langitan (Indonesia)
   “Success”
6. Mr. Du Jianao (China)
   “Exportation of Japanese Culture”
7. Mr. Bhatt Suresh (Nepal)
   “Me and Japan”
8. Mr. Imronkhuja Abdurakhmonov (Uzbekistan)
   “Thinking from my hometown sea”
9. Ms. Zhao Lijun (China)
   “Gratitude”
10. Mr. Dineshkumar Prabakaran (India)
    “Japan, quiet country”
11. Mr. Oblokulov Ravshan Sobirjon Ugli (Uzbekistan)
    “Country of admiration”

Part II: Exchange among contestants and audiences
Director: Professor KOBAYASHI Akira, Tamagawa University
Facilitators: The UNESCO Club members of Tamagawa University

　Under Professor KOBAYASHI’s guidance, audiences divided into small groups encircled the contestants and enjoyed the questions and answers on such topics as hardships experienced in Japan, thought on Japan, future relationships with Japan, etc.

Part III: Announcement of the winners and awards ceremony
Chief judge Ms. TSUBOYA Ikuko, CEO of the Tokyo International School, introduced the winners as follows.

Grand Prize:　                                                           Mr. Bhatt Suresh

MUA President Award:                                             Mr. Oblokulov Ravshan Sobirjon Ugli

Minato City Mayor’s Award:                                     Mr. Dineshkumar Prabakaran

Minato City Superintendent of Education Award:     Ms. Zhao Lijun

Judges’ Award:                                                           Mr. Li Junxi

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Mr. Imronkhuja Abdurakhmonov

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Ms. Gyuri Kim

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Mr. Du Jianao

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Ms. Hla Yamin OO

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Ms. Dhea Ceicarya Ferennita Langitan

Outstanding Performance Award:                              Mr. Ganesh Mithran

Special Audience Award:                                            Mr. Bhatt Suresh

　Each of the aforementioned prize winners received a letter of commendation, a trophy or a commemorative shield.  Special Audience Award winner was presented a letter of commendation and Wajima-lacquered chopsticks.

After the contest
This year, with the attendance of Mr. TAKEI Masaaki, Minato City Mayor, and Mr. URATA Mikio, Minato City Superintendent of Education, we were able to hold an unprecedented grand contest. Contestants included Japanese language school students and various other people who heard about the Minato UNESCO speech contest. All of the contestants were at a level where they impressed with how well they mastered Japanese, and the content of their speeches also moved people’s hearts. Thank you very much to all the contestants, spectators, and all the staff who supported us behind the scenes. I appreciate you sincerely.

(Written by TAGAWA J, Standing Director and Chairperson of Japanese Speech Contest Committee, and translated by SUDA Y., the PR, Bulletin & Internet Committee Associate)