On 24th March 2013, the 26th Japanese Public Speaking Contest was held at the Bel Air Hotel in the Hague. The theme this year was “How I would like to act as a bridge between the Netherlands and Japan in the future”. 22 enthusiastic participants demonstrated the fruits of their study of Japanese in 5-minute speeches.

The theme was very well-suited to having the participants speak on how they intend to make the most of their study of Japanese in the future. The participants’ hopes for the future, regarding how they wish to play an active role as a bridge between Japan and the Netherlands, were expressed in various topics. For instance, the translation and illustration of the differences between male and female language, student exchange, education for advancing mutual understanding, art-that-transcends-borders, translation of language as well as culture, and the study of Rangaku data (the study in  Edo period Japan of Western sciences by means of the Dutch language), namely historical literature.
In addition to the speeches, one could see how the participants endeavoured to appeal to the audience by using materials they had prepared.

After all the speeches had been given, Japanese Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Japanese Public Speaking Contest, gave his comments and said how impressed he was with the high level of Japanese proficiency of all the participants. In addition, the Ambassador said how deeply impressed he was at the enthusiasm of the participants towards the Japanese language, and the methods implemented to express themselves as well as the level of interest of the speeches. He also remarked that he hoped the participants would become the bridge between Japan and the Netherlands—this year’s theme.

Results of the speech contest
The Grand Prize: Jamey Menckeberg
The Excellence Prize: Virgil Singodikromo
The Excellence Prize: Natascha Dames
The Special Prize: Nathalie Linssen
The Special Prize: Raoul Langejans
The Encouragement Prize: Michelle Hofman
The Encouragement Prize: Karsten Bol
The Special Participant Prize: Egemen Sezen

 

(Sponsored by: The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Netherlands, Japan Airlines Co. Ltd., Nikon Europe B.V., Canon Europe Ltd., Restaurant Benkei, Restaurant KOBE, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V., Yakult Europe B.V.)

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