Hiroshima University (HU) hosted the "G7 Hiroshima Summit Japanese Speech Contest" last April 14, providing a platform for international students studying in Hiroshima to express their perspectives on peace, the planet, and our future — all delivered in Japanese. 

The event was organized to commemorate the upcoming G7 Hiroshima Summit, scheduled for May 2023.

A total of 27 essays from eight universities were submitted in response to a call for entries from the 21 member universities of the Hiroshima Summit Cooperating University Council. In the preliminary round, 22 essays recommended by each university were reviewed, and the works of 11 selected international students were presented in the lecture room of the Ryoun Lecture Building in the Kasumi Campus.

Before the contest began, HU President Mitsuo Ochi, who headed the judging committee, gave opening remarks. The presidents of the nine participating universities were also introduced as judges.

During the contest, the 11 international students delivered speeches in fluent Japanese. After a rigorous evaluation, Lee Seunghyeon from Hiroshima City University was chosen as the first-place winner. Kylie Yui Dan from HU secured second place, and Pan Zhang, also from HU, took third place. President Ochi awarded the winners with certificates and plaques. Additionally, the winners received a supplementary prize from the contest sponsor, Ryowa House Co., Ltd. 

To conclude the contest, President Arinobu Mutsuhiro of the Eikei University of Hiroshima delivered remarks on behalf of the judging panel, followed by closing remarks from President Miyatani Makoto of Hijiyama University. The approximately 170-person audience, consisting of both online and in-person viewers, listened attentively until the end of the contest.

Universities comprising the Hiroshima Summit Cooperating University Council include Hiroshima University, Hiroshima City University, Fukuyama University, Hiroshima University of Economics, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima Shudo University, Onomichi City University, Hiroshima International University, Kindai University Faculty of Engineering, Hijiyama University, Hiroshima Jogakuin University, Hiroshima Institute of Technology, Eikei University of Hiroshima, Elisabeth University of Music, Fukuyama City University, Fukuyama Heisei University, Yasuda Women's University, Japanese Red Cross Hiroshima College of Nursing, Hiroshima Cosmopolitan University, Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University, and Hiroshima Bunkyo University.