The international speech contest for Japanese and non-Japanese living,studying or working in Abiko city was held on Sep. 29, 2019. (No. 19-13)Date & Time: Sep. 29, 2019 (Sun) 13:00 ~ 17:10
Venue: Abiko Civic Plaza Multi-purpose Hall
MC: Mr.Koji Ishihara (AIRA Japanese instructor) 、Ms. Xiao Ying Ying ( Chuo Gakuin University student from Hong Kong)
Participants: 13 speakers in English, ( 2 adults, 1 university student, 3 high-school students, 7 junior high school students)
11 speakers in Japanese( 3 adults, 1 graduate student, 2 university students, 2 Japanese language students, 1 high-school student, 2 junior high school students)
5 pupils for English recitation (Total 29 participants)
Judges: Yasuhiko Hesaki (AIRA President), Kensei Watanabe ( Acting Mayor,Director of Planning and Financial Department) Toshiharu Kurabe (Chairman of Abiko Education Board), Hitoshi Ichikawa (President of Chuo Gakuin University) William Kischuck (Professor of Kawamura Gakuen Women’s University), John Bauman (English Instructor of Chuo Gakuin University)
AIRA has been holding the speech contest co-hosted by Abiko city for the purpose of enhancing international understanding and language abilities in Japanese and English. Japanese speakers are supposed to deliver a speech in English and non-Japanese speakers are in Japanese. In this contest, 13 speakers made a speech in English and 11 speakers in Japanese.
As official English education for the elementary school will start next year, AIRA has started the recitation contest for elementary pupils since 20th contest of last year. 5 kids took part in this contest.
Following to opening remarks and introducing judges by the emcees, Mr Hesaki made an opening address, “As languages serve as a means of communication, I am glad if this contest will give you a good chance to start studying foreign languages.” Mr.Akira Aoki ,Deputy/Acting Maor expressed appreciation to AIRA’s constant efforts towards improvement of language abilities. The first part was the English speech, then the Japanese, and lastly the recitation contest.
Approx. one third of this year’s Japanese speakers was born(registered) in other countries and raised in Japan, which made us realize how close the wave of globalization comes to us. This trend will exert favorable influence on English study for junior high-school students in future.
Meanwhile, in the Japanese speech, the speakers, who are studying Japanese at language schools or trying to earn a living in Japan, made a good job.
At the last part of the contest, 5 elementary school kids made a recitation speech. They made speeches about their dreams, hobbies, favorite books and others. Two English specialist judges commented about their speeches. 
While judge results were under consideration, a special lecture was given
by Mr. Takashi Hiraoka, Public Communication Director of Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. The title was “Bird-watching on Shosoin Treasures”. He identified the birds from the feather and patterns citing the 1996 research on Shosoin treasures. Furthermore, he referred to a network of trade routes of the Silk Road and interactions between the East and the West. However, many of the birds drawn on the treasures were originated in the East including China and the Indochina Peninsula but no birds originated in the West, Central Asia, and India were found. Therefore, the treasures were assumed to be drawn at the cultural center in China. The lecture was very intriguing and precious.
Mr. Kurabe, Chief of Abiko Education Board, said, “The speeches were neck and neck competition. We could hear clearly what participants thought and wanted to convey. The elementary school pupils did a really good job, and junior high-school students made a speech with confidence.”
After the speech contest, a tea party was led by one of the emcees, Ms. Xing Yan. The speakers relieved from the tense during the contest could enjoy the party.
The judge results were shown below. Total 9 out of 29 speakers were given awards. The results of the judge ware as follows.
As official English education for the elementary school will start next year, AIRA has started the recitation contest for elementary pupils since 20th contest of last year. 5 kids took part in this contest.
Following to opening remarks and introducing judges by the emcees, Mr Hesaki made an opening address, “As languages serve as a means of communication, I am glad if this contest will give you a good chance to start studying foreign languages.” Mr.Akira Aoki ,Deputy/Acting Maor expressed appreciation to AIRA’s constant efforts towards improvement of language abilities. The first part was the English speech, then the Japanese, and lastly the recitation contest.
Approx. one third of this year’s Japanese speakers was born(registered) in other countries and raised in Japan, which made us realize how close the wave of globalization comes to us. This trend will exert favorable influence on English study for junior high-school students in future.
Meanwhile, in the Japanese speech, the speakers, who are studying Japanese at language schools or trying to earn a living in Japan, made a good job.
At the last part of the contest, 5 elementary school kids made a recitation speech. They made speeches about their dreams, hobbies, favorite books and others. Two English specialist judges commented about their speeches. While judge results were under consideration, a special lecture was given
by Mr. Takashi Hiraoka, Public Communication Director of Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. The title was “Bird-watching on Shosoin Treasures”. He identified the birds from the feather and patterns citing the 1996 research on Shosoin treasures. Furthermore, he referred to a network of trade routes of the Silk Road and interactions between the East and the West. However, many of the birds drawn on the treasures were originated in the East including China and the Indochina Peninsula but no birds originated in the West, Central Asia, and India were found. Therefore, the treasures were assumed to be drawn at the cultural center in China. The lecture was very intriguing and precious.Mr. Kurabe, Chief of Abiko Education Board, said, “The speeches were neck and neck competition. We could hear clearly what participants thought and wanted to convey. The elementary school pupils did a really good job, and junior high-school students made a speech with confidence.”
After the speech contest, a tea party was led by one of the emcees, Ms. Xing Yan. The speakers relieved from the tense during the contest could enjoy the party.
The judge results were shown below. Total 9 out of 29 speakers were given awards. The results of the judge ware as follows.
AIRA President Award (English)
Yuuna Murashima (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title : “I believe in infinite possibility”
AIRA President Award (Japanese)
Yonki Dey Putera
Title: 「心に残っている言葉」(“ The words stayed in my heart”)
Abiko Mayor Award (English)
Yuri Nakajima (1st grade of high-school)
Title: 「留学を通して考えたこと～優しさと目標～」(What I thought in my studying abroad ~warmth and goal)
Abiko Mayor Award (Japanese)
Patricia Katoh (Adult)
Title:「じゃあ、がんばってね」(Keep on going! You can do it!)
Abiko City Education Board Award
Shuta Matsumoto (3rd grade of junior high-school)
Title: “It's in the eyes”
Chuo Gakuin University Award
Ahmad Mansül (3rd grade of high-school)
Title:「日本と日本人について」( My thought about Japan and Japanese)
Kawamura Gakuen Women’s University Award
Yukira Nomura (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title:「フィリピンでの生活を通して」( What I felt in my life in Philippine)
Audience-Judge Award (English)
Koko Emone (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title:「ナイジェリアの生活と私の将来」 (My life in Nigeria and my future)
Audience-Judge Award (Japanese)
Nguyen Thi Thuy Hoa (Japanese language school)
Title:「幸福はどこから来ますか」(Where does happiness come from?)
Yuuna Murashima (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title : “I believe in infinite possibility”
AIRA President Award (Japanese)
Yonki Dey Putera
Title: 「心に残っている言葉」(“ The words stayed in my heart”)
Abiko Mayor Award (English)
Yuri Nakajima (1st grade of high-school)
Title: 「留学を通して考えたこと～優しさと目標～」(What I thought in my studying abroad ~warmth and goal)
Abiko Mayor Award (Japanese)
Patricia Katoh (Adult)
Title:「じゃあ、がんばってね」(Keep on going! You can do it!)
Abiko City Education Board Award
Shuta Matsumoto (3rd grade of junior high-school)
Title: “It's in the eyes”
Chuo Gakuin University Award
Ahmad Mansül (3rd grade of high-school)
Title:「日本と日本人について」( My thought about Japan and Japanese)
Kawamura Gakuen Women’s University Award
Yukira Nomura (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title:「フィリピンでの生活を通して」( What I felt in my life in Philippine)
Audience-Judge Award (English)
Koko Emone (2nd grade of junior high-school)
Title:「ナイジェリアの生活と私の将来」 (My life in Nigeria and my future)
Audience-Judge Award (Japanese)
Nguyen Thi Thuy Hoa (Japanese language school)
Title:「幸福はどこから来ますか」(Where does happiness come from?)
(Translated by Ms.Hitomi Koyama)