The 46th Annual Japanese Speech Contest

On Sunday, November 3, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, the Japanese American Association of Northern California, and the Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association presented the 46th Annual Japanese Speech Contest at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California located in San Francisco’s Japantown.

A total of 23 contestants demonstrated their hard work in studying Japanese language and communication skills during the Middle School and High School Student Division in the morning, and in the College Student and Adult Division in the afternoon. Each contestant shared their unique speeches with a variety of topics such as their experiences through studying Japanese language and culture, memories from traveling to Japan, stories about their families, and their thoughts on living in a diverse culture. Contestants’ families, teachers, and fellow students joined as audience members, encouraging the contestants.

The top three winners from each category of the Middle School and High School Student Division received special prizes from sponsor CAPCOM USA, Inc. and the Special Recognition winners received a gift certificate from Benkyodo. The first place winner for the College Student and Adult Division received a round trip flight ticket to Japan from sponsor United Airlines. Each of the participants received a Certificate of Participation and a special gift from New People, Inc.

Judges from both divisions were impressed with the contestants’ Japanese language and communication skills and encouraged participants to apply their experience to further strengthen global friendship into the future

The Consulate would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all of the participants on their hard work and accomplishments.