On March 16th, 2024, the 7th Japanese Essay Speech Contest was held at the Faculty of Japanese Studies of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, in Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCM-USSH), where Hiroshima University (HU) has its Vietnam Center.

This contest was co-hosted by Hiroshima University Vietnam Center, Komaru-Koutsu Foundation, and the Faculty of Japanese Studies of VNUHCM-USSH. Its theme was “transportation”. Out of the 74 applications from 13 universities in the south of Vietnam, 13 students were selected and presented their essays at the auditorium of VNUHCM-USSH. At the venue, an audience of around 300 people, comprising Japanese language students and teachers, was gathered.

At the beginning of the contest, Mr. Shigehiro Komaru (President of the Komaru-Koutsu Foundation, and President of the Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd.), and Dr. Le Hoang Dung, Vice President of VNUHCM-USSH, gave their opening addresses. Then, Mr. Masuo Ono, Consul General of Japan in Ho Chi Minh City, who attended the event as a guest of honor, delivered a speech in which he endorsed the event for promoting friendship between Japan and Vietnam, and fostering human resources who will encourage greater communication and collaboration between the two countries.

Following the opening addresses, 13 students made speeches in fluent Japanese, and after careful consideration, Ms. Nguyen Thi Nu from Lac Hong University was awarded first prize.

At the end of the contest, Specially Appointed Professor Koichi Nishiguchi of the HU Morito Institute of Global Higher Education made his closing remarks. The audience listened enthusiastically until the very end of the contest.

The 13 participating universities (in order of appearance):
Van Lang University, Vietnam-Japan Institute of Technology, VNUHCM-USSH, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Thu Duc College of Technology, Open University, Lac Hong University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology, Hong Bang International University, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Foreign Trade University, FPT University