On October 13, 2023, the 6th Japanese Speech Contest was held in Kaunas City at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), where the Hiroshima University Lithuania Center is located. The contest was co-hosted by the Komaru-Koutsu Foundation, Hiroshima University Lithuania Center, and VMU’s Centre for Asian Studies. An audience of about 200 people, including students who are studying Japanese as well as Japanese instructors, gathered at the venue to listen.

The contest began with opening addresses from Mr. Shigehiro Komaru (President of the Komaru-Koutsu Foundation and Fukuyama Transporting Co. Ltd.), as well as VMU Vice-Rector for Communication Dr. Vilma Bijeikienė.

During the contest, a total of twelve speakers presented their speeches: three in the beginner category, four in the intermediate category, and five in the advanced category. After careful consideration from the five judges, the top two speakers in each category were awarded certificates and extra prizes.

The contest was concluded with a closing address from Prof. Yoshichika Honda of Hiroshima University’s Morito Institute of Global Higher Education. The audience listened intently till the very end of the contest.