International Student Japanese Speech Contest
Held since 1993, the International Student Japanese Speech Contest served as a platform for international students studying at universities, Japanese language schools etc. in the city to share about their thoughts and experiences after coming to Japan in Japanese. The speech contest was also meant to encourage international students to further their study of the Japanese language, and also give a better perspective about the lives of international students to Japanese citizens.
The speech contest was held with the support of the Kitakyushu Kokura Lions Club, Yahata Houjinkai, and the Kitakyushu-China Friendship Association.
The 2023 International Student Japanese Speech Contest was held as follows.
■Date: December 10, 2023 (Sun) 1:00pm～4:00pm
■Venue: Kitakyushyu Kodomo-no-Yakata, Kodomo Hall (7F COM City)
■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: October 20, 2023 (Fri)
■How to apply:
Please mail (must arrive) 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.:
FY2022 Japanese Speech Contest (Conducted in two parts only in FY2022)
This speech contest is for foreigners living in Kitakyushu City and its surrounding areas to give presentations on what they felt and thought through their various experiences in Japan.
The purpose is to maintain and improve motivation for future Japanese language learning by presenting from a variety of fields and perspectives and listening to the opinions of other presenters. In addition, not only for the presenters but also for the Kitakyushu residents who watch the event, by listening to the various experiences and opinions of foreigners, they will learn about what they feel on a daily basis and will have an opportunity to think about the nature of multicultural coexistence.
As of FY2022, “The Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest” integrated with the “International Student Japanese Speech Contest” into 2 parts.
Part 1 is the “International Student Japanese Speech Contest” presented by international students studying at universities, junior colleges, technical colleges, and Japanese language schools in the city.
Part 2 is the “The Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest”given by foreigners living in Kitakyushu city and its surrounding areas.
FY2022 Japanese Speech Contest was held as follows.
■Date: January 9, 2023 (Mon)
Part 1 “International Student Japanese Speech Contest” 10:30am～1:00pm
Part 2 “The Japanese Oshaberi Speech Contest” 2:00pm～6:00pm
■Venue: Kitakyushu Perfoming Arts Center Medium Theatre (inside Riverwalk Kitakyushu)
International Student Japanese Speech Contest recent results
2017 – 2023 Results
| Contest | Top 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 |
| 26th （2018） | Yan Shui Yi – China (Kyushu Kyoritsu University) | After all, Japan is… |
| 25th （2017） | Lama Saroj – Nepal (Ohara Subaru Automation Sports School Japanese Class) | What I learned after coming to Japan |
In FY2020 (the 28th JSC) we streamed live on YouTube without spectators at the event location due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
for Exchange Students
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.
