15th Annual Foreigner Speech Contest in Ibaraki

The Ibaraki International Association sponsors a speech contest to provide an opportunity for Japanese-speaking residents of Ibaraki prefecture to express their impressions and honest feelings about Japan, or to talk about their home countries. Other than political, commercial or religious themes, any subject that deepens global understanding is permitted.

The most recent event, the 15th Annual Japanese Speech Contest, was held on the 4th of February, 2006, at the Kenmin Bunka Center in Mito city.

The only criterion for entry into the competition was that the speakers have never attended Japanese elementary or middle schools. The 15 people chosen to take part came from 10 different countries and all kinds of backgrounds. Some were university students, one was a high school exchange student, some were housewives, and some were company employees.

All of the participants did a great job and everyone went home with a prize which included a gift vouchers, a travel vouchers, a VCR, a camera, a bike, and a TV set.

First prize was won by Korean Gyudo Che, a student at Ibaraki University with his speech looking at things from a culturally biased viewpoint

Second prize went to Alexander from Malaysia who told us all that is currently looking for a girlfriend! His speech was about what he can learn from Japan about human communication.

Finally, third prize was won by Yuna Kim from Korea with her speech about the cultural differences she has discovered between Japan and Korea since she came here.

The special Youth Prize was won by Dewi Rosa Liana Furusawa from Indonesia for her speech about how fun it is to live in Japan and the Japanese Volunteer Award went to 1st prize winner Gyudo.

Entries for next year's event will be sought in November. Keep an eye out on the Ibaraki http://www.ia-ibaraki.or.jp/ International Association website for more details.