The 36th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest
2025/4/1
Contestants, Judges and Chair of the Organizing Committee
On March 30, the 36th National Japanese Language Speech Contest (hosted by the Organizing Committee of the Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest) was held at York University. Twenty-four contestants, consisting of winners of seven regional contests across Canada, gave impassioned speeches on topics such as their personal experiences, future hopes, social issues, and cross-cultural understanding in beginner, intermediate, advanced, and open categories. Consul-General Matsunaga Takeshi gave opening remarks, encouraging the contestants and stating that cultural exchange through Japanese language study is the foundation of friendly relations between Japan and Canada. In attendance were Dr. Walter Davis, Interim Director of the University of Alberta’s Prince Takamado Japan Centre for Teaching and Research, as well as those involved in Japanese language education and students studying Japanese language and culture.
During a break in the competition, Ms. Ariel Upiter, a York University student who visited Japan in February on the Kakehashi Project, an exchange program run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, shared experiences from her trip. In addition, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) introduced Iaido (Mumonkai) and Karate (Shito-ryu Itosu-kai), and York University students gave performances of dancing and the folksong “Soran Bushi”.
＜Winners of Each Category＞
Beginners： Alex Sarkozi （York University） “The Study of Math, Music, and Mistakes”
Intermediate： Kai Lee （University of British Columbia） “The Dream Japan Gave Me”
Advanced（Grand Prize）： Ava-Karie Hislop （York University） “What is “Good Hair”?”
Open： Yuna Wong （York University） “At the Crossroads of Cultures”
During a break in the competition, Ms. Ariel Upiter, a York University student who visited Japan in February on the Kakehashi Project, an exchange program run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, shared experiences from her trip. In addition, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) introduced Iaido (Mumonkai) and Karate (Shito-ryu Itosu-kai), and York University students gave performances of dancing and the folksong “Soran Bushi”.
＜Winners of Each Category＞
Beginners： Alex Sarkozi （York University） “The Study of Math, Music, and Mistakes”
Intermediate： Kai Lee （University of British Columbia） “The Dream Japan Gave Me”
Advanced（Grand Prize）： Ava-Karie Hislop （York University） “What is “Good Hair”?”
Open： Yuna Wong （York University） “At the Crossroads of Cultures”