International Exchange

The 8th Japanese Essay Speech Contest Held Online in Shanghai and Japan

On May 21st 2022, the 8th Japanese Essay Speech Contest was held online in Shanghai and Japan.

This was the eighth time that Hiroshima University (HU), Komaru-Koutsu Foundation and Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) have co-hosted this essay speech contest, with this year’s theme being “Transportation”. The contest invited applications from universities students in and around Shanghai. 59 students from 8 universities submitted their essays, 30 of which were recommended by the universities and 8 finalists were selected through the essay writing screening and went on to present their speeches.

This contest is usually held at SISU, one of the inter-university exchange agreement partners of HU. However, this year’s event was held online between the Headquarters of Fukuyama Transporting Co. and HU, with the contestants, special guests and other participants participating and watching from individual locations due to COVID-19.

The contest began with an opening speech by Mr. Shigehiro Komaru, President of the Komaru-Koutsu Foundation and President of the Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd., followed by pre-recorded welcome addresses by President Yansong Li from SISU, and President Mitsuo Ochi of HU.

In addition, pre-recorded addresses from special guests were presented: His Excellency Mr. Xuanyou Kong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, as well as Mr. Shuichi Akamatsu, Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in Shanghai.

During the contest, the 8 selected students then presented their speeches in fluent Japanese. After careful consideration, Xiangling Zhong from Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics was selected to be the first prize winner and won the “Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai Special Award” too.

At the end of the contest, a closing remark was given by Prof. Yoshichika Honda, Director of the HU Beijing Research Center. The participants, approximately 60 people, both in-person and online, listened enthusiastically until the very end.

Group photo of the contestants, judges, and other participants

Group photo at the venue in the Headquarters of Fukuyama Transporting Co.

Inquiries

Global Initiatives Group, Hiroshima University

TEL: 082-424-6042


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