The 48th Annual Japanese Speech Contest for Middle School and High School Students
2025/11/7
A contestant delivers his speech during the contest
A contestant delivers her speech during the contest
On Sunday, November 2, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, the Japanese American Association of Northern California (Hokka Nichi Bei Kai), and the Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association, co-organized the 48th Japanese Speech Contest for Middle School and High School students at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California.
One middle school student and thirteen high school students participated in this year’s contest, demonstrating their achievement of Japanese language studies and preparation for this contest. Each contestant shared their unique speeches with a variety of topics. In the audience were contestants’ families, teachers, and fellow students attending in support of the contestants.
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 this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
One middle school student and thirteen high school students participated in this year’s contest, demonstrating their achievement of Japanese language studies and preparation for this contest. Each contestant shared their unique speeches with a variety of topics. In the audience were contestants’ families, teachers, and fellow students attending in support of the contestants.
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 this year’s contestants and commend each of them on their hard work.
Results
Group photo with Category 1 participants
Group photo with Category 2 participants
Category 1 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is not spoken)
| 1st Place: | Xavier Goeller (Diablo Nippon Gakuen) “A Story About Dreams” |
| 2nd Place: | Leslie James (Stevenson School) “The Reason Why I Came to Like Japanese Train Stations” |
| 3rd Place: | Angel Zhang (Stevenson School) “A Story of Giving Up” |
| Special Recognition: | Simin Hassan (Sakura Gakuen) “Days I Spent with My Sister” |
| Special Recognition: | Hannah Kaganovich (Bella Vista High School) “How I Fell in Love with Music” |
| Special Recognition: | Ian Suratman (Sakura Gakuen) “Why You Should Start a Japanese Club” |
| Special Recognition: | Anar Batkhurel (George Washington High School) “My Journey into Japanese Cuisine” |
| Special Recognition: | Liam Smith (Sakura Gakuen) “My Best Friend Noelle” |
Category 2 (Contestants who come from homes where Japanese is spoken)
| 1st Place: | Rian Abernethy (Foothills Middle School) “What AI Cannot Do” |
| 2nd Place: | Sachi Tsuno (Khan Lab School) “Immigration and Support in Japan” |
| 3rd Place: | Mia Greenberg (Burlingame High School) “The Ability to Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle” |
| Special Recognition: | Eisuke Ochiai (Las Lomas High School) “Ramen in Bay Area” |
| Special Recognition: | Clayton Lau (El Camino High School) “The Baker of El Camino” |
| Special Recognition: | Momo Matsui-Disini (The Harker School) “Kanji” |
Judges
Judges listen to contestants’ speeches
Dr, Minami gives closing remarks
Mr. Hiroshi Dambara (Head Judge)
Consul, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco
Mr. Keijiro Hora
Executive Director, Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California
Mr. Larry Greenwood
Board Chair, Japan Society of Northern California
Dr. Masahiko Minami
President, Northern California Japanese Teachers’ Association
Mr. Matthew Hunter
Producer, Localization, VIZ Media, LLC
