Date and Time:  Sunday, September 29, 2024  1:00 p.m. -4:15 p.m.

Venue:  Multi-Purpose Hall, Abiko Civic Plaza

Participants:  6 Japanese people in the English division, 2 Japanese people, and 8 foreigners in the Japanese division, totaling 16 speakers

Judges: 6 judges

MC: Mr. Xing Kai Jun and Ms. Liu Rui xin (both graduate students of Chuo Gakuin University), Ms. Noriko Adachi (AIRA)

Audience:  81 people  

(No.24-13)

 

The International Speech Contest started in 1999 to nurture young people with a global perspective, develop Japanese skills of foreign people living in Abiko, and promote international exchange in the city, marked its twenty-fourth this year.

 

This year, to further broaden the international view of young people, in addition to English speeches by Japanese people and Japanese speeches by foreign people, speeches in Japanese by Japanese students were given.

 

Following the opening greeting by the MC and the introduction of the judges, AIRA President Mr. Omura and Abiko City Mayor Mr. Hoshino gave short speeches.

 

One of the two Japanese junior high school students who made speeches in Japanese talked about the possibility of promoting international friendship through music as well as English.

 

After all the speeches were made there was a presentation by Ms. Karen Imoto, who won the “World Dolls Museum Special Prize” last year, titled “Short Stay for Study in Seoul, Korea”. She said she was able to have precious experiences and make the best of the limited time despite the language barriers.

 

After careful examination by the judges, the award winners were decided as below and the awarding ceremony was held.  Also, the winner of the “World Dolls Museum Award” sponsored by Mr. Yasuharu Koh, which was awarded for the purpose of supporting people who study abroad, was presented with the certificate.

 

Finally, the chief of the education board of Abiko City made a general review of the contest and it was concluded with the closing word by Mr. Hayasaka, the executive committee leader of this event.

 

While the audience was waiting for the announcement of the results of the examination and during the tea party held after the contest, Ms. Mirei Tanaka played the electronic organ.  The beautiful melodies of “Salut d’Amor” “Subaru” “My Way” and “Walk Looking UP (SUKIYAKI)” wrapped the hall with a warm atmosphere.

(Translated by Chizu Yamaguchi)

 

【Judges <without honorifics>】

　Yoshiaki Omura（AIRA President・President of Chuo Gakuin University

　Kensei Watanebe（Vice Mayor of Abiko City）

　Tomohiko Maru（Chief of Education Board of Abiko City）

　John A. Dolan（Chief of International Center at Chuo Gakuin University　

　William Kischuck（Professor at Department of International and English Studies at Kawamura Gakuen Women’s University）

　John Baumann（English instructor at Chuo Gakuin University）