International Student Japanese Speech Contest
Since 1993, we have been organizing a Japanese Speech Contest for international students studying at universities and Japanese language schools in Kitakyushu. The contest aims to enhance students’ motivation to learn Japanese and promote a better understanding of international students by providing them with an opportunity to express their thoughts and experiences in Japan in Japanese.
The speech contest is held with the support of the Kitakyushu Kokura Lions Club, Yahata Houjinkai, and the Kitakyushu-China Friendship Association.
The 2024 International Student Japanese Speech Contest was held as follows.
■Date: October 13, 2024 (Sun) 1:00pm～4:00pm
■Venue: 7F COM City, Children Hall, Kodomo-no-Yakata, Kitakyushyu
■Qualification:
International students who meet all of the following conditions.
a) whose native language and nationality are not Japanese
b) the total period of stay in Japan must be less than 5 years
c) must live in Kitakyushu City and be enrolled in a university, junior college, technical college, or Japanese language school in Kitakyushu City
d) must not have won the highest award in the “International Student Japanese Speech Contest” held by the Kitakyushu International Association in the past
■Theme: Free
■Deadline: August 26, 2024 (Mon) ※The deadline has passed
■How to apply:
Please email or submit the following directly to the Kitakyushu International Association.
a) Application form
b) Copies of both side of the Residence Card
c) Speech manuscript
d) Self-promotion passage
Kitakyushu International Association:
3F COM City, 3-15-3 Kurosaki, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi
★About 2 minutes on foot from JR Kurosaki Station
■Application form, guidelines, etc.:
The 32nd International Student Japanese Speech Contest results
| The 32nd (2024) | Awardee Name(s) | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | Mr. XIE Xiangjiang (Waseda University Graduate School / China) | With a Light Boat |
| Kitakyushu Kokura Lions Club Award | Mr. Alvin Lu Liang Hao (Waseda University Graduate School / Malaysia) | I Am Malaysian |
| Yahata Corporate Association Award | Mr. SONG Hongjin (Kyushu Institute of Technology Graduate School / China) | Reunion with Mount Fuji – Seven Years of Longing |
| Judges’ Award | Mr. SUN Zhengyi (Waseda University Graduate School / China) | Safe Driving, Go! |
| Friendship Special Award | Ms. XIE Shiyi (Kyushu Kyoritsu University / China) | My First Visit to the Hospital |
International Student Japanese Speech Contest recent results
2017 – 2023 Results
| Contest | Grand Prize | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 31st （2023） | Ms. Eom Sangah – Korea (The University of Kitakyushu) | War & Peace |
| 30th （2022） | Mr. Han Dosu – Korea (The University of Kitakyushu) | Korean army |
| 29th （2021） | Mr. Wang Wakatake – China (Kyushu Institute of Technology) | Living in Japan for a second time |
| 28th （2020） | Mr. Galan Sankalpa – Nepal (Kyushu International University) | Valuable lessons from the cultural differences between Japan and Nepal |
| 27th （2019） | Zhang Zi Yao – China (Waseda University Graduate School) | About Chinese table manners |
Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest
The Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest was a platform for foreigners living in Kitakyushu City and the surrounding municipalities, regardless of age or occupation, to present their thoughts or opinions in Japanese. A wide range of fields and perspectives were shared, and it was hoped that contestants could not only learn from each other, but also be motivated through hearing the speeches of other contestants to further their study of the Japanese language.
The contest itself did also have a multicultural agenda, where Japanese citizens that listen to the speeches were able to gain a better understanding of the sentiments of the contestants.
The 14th Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest
■Date：February 4, 2024. 1:00pm-5:00pm
■Venue：Kitakyushu Performing Arts Center Medium Theatre (inside Riverwalk Kitakyushu)
■Contestants：Foreigners living in Kitakyushu City and its surrounding areas
（Nogata City, Yukuhashi City, Buzen City, Nakama City, Miyawaka City, Ashiya Town, Mizumaki Town, Okagaki Town, Onga Town, Kotake Town, Kurate machi, Kawara Town, Kanda Town, Miyako Town, Koge Town, Chikujo Town, Yoshitomi Town)
■Theme：Any theme is OK! (Presentation should be within 5minutes)
■Application Deadline：November 16 (Thurs), 2023
■How to apply：①Submit application from (Bring directly to KIA, Send by email, or via QR code)
②Email your photo(upper body) for program
③Write your manuscript and submit by Saturday, December 16th. (Create with Word file and bring to KIA or send by email)
Kitakyushu International Association:
3F COM City, 3-15-3 Kurosaki, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi
★About 2 minutes on foot from JR Kurosaki Station
■Flyer・Application form：
2019 – 2023 Results
| Contest | Number of Contestants | Top Prize Winner | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13th（2023） | 18 | Ms. Fletcher Gillian – Jamaica (Himiko No Kai) | Freedom to dream again |
| 12th（2022） | 20 | Mr. Chen Chun Chung – Taiwan (Gakken Volunteer Association) | That which surprised me when I came to Japan |
| 11th（2021） | 16 | Mr. HOCQUAX Simon – France (Gakken Volunteer Association) | A happy story |
| 10th（2020） | 26 | Ms. Vuong Thi Thu – Vietnam (Marelli Kyushu Corporation) | The Japan of my heart |
| 9th（2019） | 21 | Mr. Hifsan Manggala Panggabean – Indonesia (Shimosone Japanese Class) | My Kendo experience |
*The 11th Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest was judged based on the video recording of speeches sent by participants due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. All speeches and comments from judges have been made into a DVD.
