On November 26th, we held the 1st Japanese Essay Speech Contest in Jakarta, Indonesia where the PERSADA-HU Collaboration Project Center is located.

The contest was held for the first time in Indonesia jointly by PERSADA-HU Collaboration Project Center and Komaru Transporting Foundation. The theme of the essay was “Transportation.” 88 essays were submitted after recruiting entries from 8 partner universities in Indonesia, which lead in Japanese language education in Indonesia. The universities selected 27 essays.  Then, 8 finalists were chosen and were invited to read their essays at the contest at the Darma Persada University’s lecture hall. There were about 150 audiences including those who learn Japanese and teach Japanese.

At the beginning, Mr. Shigehiro Komaru, Executive Director of the Komaru Transporting Foundation and President of the Fukuyama Transporting Co. Ltd., Vice President Ismadji Hadisoemarto of the Association of Indonesian Alumni from Japan (PERSADA), and Rector Dadang Solihin of Darma Persada University made welcome speeches. Hiroshima University President Mitsuo Ochi’s video message was also shown.

In addition, Mr. Ryo Nakamura, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in Indonesia came to the contest and offered the words of encouragement to such events that will promote friendship between Japan and Indonesia, and nurture individuals who will build a bridge between the two countries.

8 students gave their fluent speech in Japanese. After through reviewing, Ms Zakiyya Amajida from Universitas Gadjah Mada won the first place.

As concluding the contest, Executive and Vice President Toshiyuki Sato made closing remarks. The audience listened enthusiastically until the very end of the contest.

The 8 participanting universities (our partner universities):
Universitas Indonesia, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia University of Education, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Hasanuddin, Universitas Darma Persada