Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito (standing, fourth from the right) with York University
Associate Professor Noriko Yabuki-Soh, who chairs the Ontario Japanese Speech Contest Organizing Committee
(sitting, fifth from right), judges, guests and contest winners.
The 36th Ontario Japanese Speech Contest was held at the University of Toronto on March 3, and Consul-General of Japan Takako Ito was in attendance to give opening remarks. This is the oldest Japanese language speech contest in Canada． Its supporters include many Japanese businesses operating in Ontario, as well as the city of Sagamihara in Kanagawa Prefecture, which maintains a sister-city relationship with Toronto. The Consulate-General of Japan is also proud to be one of the sponsors of this important contest. Thirty-nine Japanese language students selected by their respective language education institutions from across Ontario, excluding the National Capital Region, competed in the Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Open categories. The winners of each category will be taking part in the National Japanese Speech Contest to be held at the University of Alberta on March 24.
Consul-General Ito gives opening remarks.
Dr. Yabuki-Soh gives greetings.
The judges, from left: Mitsui & Co. (Canada) President Fumiaki Miyamoto; Japan Foundation, Toronto,
Executive Director Yuko Shimizu; Chief Judge of the Speech Contest Stephen Kennedy, barrister and solicitor;
Dr. Miya Narushima, Associate Professor of Health Sciences, Brock University;
Mr. Yuji Morita, Sales Marketing Manager, Fraser Journal Publishing.