The 3rd Japanese Essay Speech Contest was held at Shanghai Normal University (Shanghai, China) where the Hiroshima University Collaboration Research Center is located.

This was the third time that Hiroshima University Collaboration Research Center and Komaru Transportation Foundation have co-hosted this essay speech contest. This year’s theme was “Transportation”. The contest invited students from universities in and around Shanghai and there were applications from 149 students from 8 universities. Universities recommended a total of 26 essays out of those applicants. The eight students that won awards presented their essays in the Shanghai Normal University auditorium. There were about 80 people in the audience including students learning Japanese and Japanese teachers.

Mr. Shigehiro Komaru, Executive Director of the Komaru Transporting Foundation and President of the Fukuyama Transporting Co. Ltd., gave a welcome speech before the contest. We had Mr. Kazuyuki Katayama, the Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai, give a greeting as well and received encouragement for hosting an event that will promote friendship between Japan and China, and nurture individuals that will become a bridge between the two countries.

The eight students that won receive an award of excellence gave their fluent speech in Japanese. After severe reviewing, Ms. Zhu Chen from Shanghai Normal University was chosen as first place. Kazuyuki Katayama, the Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai, created the “Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai Special Award” this time and Ms. Zhang Ying from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics was chosen for the award.

The contest concluded with Professor Li Junyang, Vice Director of the Hiroshima University Beijing Center, giving comments, and Professor Toshiyuki Sato, Executive and Vice President, giving a closing speech. The audience listened intently until the very end of the contest.

A scene from the essay speech contest	Ms. Zhu Chen from Shanghai Normal University, the first place winner
Ms. Zhang Ying from Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics, the Consul-General of Japan in Shanghai Special Award winner	Group photograph with the award winning students

Inquiries:

International Exchange Group, International Office, Hiroshima University

TEL: 082-424-6046

E-mail: kokusai-group*office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp (Please replace * with @)