The 8th Japanese Language Speech Contest | Embassy of Japan in Kenya

Mr. Mikio Mori, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, giving his opening address

Mr. David Maina Kamau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, giving his opening address

The 8th Japanese Language Speech Contest was held at the Embassy of Japan on Saturday, 21st March 2015. The speech contest attracted about 200 participants among them 13 Japanese language speech contestants and 5 Japanese cultural presenters.

The contest was organized by the Japan Information and Culture Centre (JICC), the Japan Foundation (JF) and the Japanese Language Teachers Association of Kenya (JALTAK).

Sponsors of the contest included H.I.S Kenya Ltd. (travel agency), Panafricamed Ltd (Valdivia), Rohto Mentholatum (Kenya) Ltd (healthcare), DoDo World! (travel agency), Mitsui and Co. Ltd (general trading company), Toridoll Kenya Ltd (Teriyaki Japan) and JKUAT Nissin Foods Ltd (instant noodle).

The Japanese Language Speech Contest was officially opened by the Embassy of Japan’s, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Mikio Mori and Mr. David Maina Kamau, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Mr. Kamau is an alumnus of the Japanese Language Program for Foreign-Service Officers and Public Officials a program which offers training to participants in the Japanese language as well as activities to understand Japanese culture and society.

One of the participants of the speech contest delivering his speech in Japanese

One of the participants of the speech contest giving a presentation on Japanese culture

Following the opening ceremony, the Japanese speech contestants took to the stage to show what they had studied and practiced to that day. After this, presentations on the Japanese culture were made by various Kenyan learners of the Japanese language. While the result of the contest was discussed by the judges, students from a number of schools and colleges entertained the crowd with various Japanese themed performances which included Japanese songs and a dance.

Students from Wamumu Rehabilitation School performing ‘Yosakoi Soran’ dance

Ms. Mbithe Nzomo, winner of the 8th Japanese Language Speech Contest receiving a prize from one of the sponsors, Rohto Mentholatum (Kenya) Ltd

Group photo of the participants of the 8th Japanese Language Speech Contest

Winners of the contest were announced and the event was finally declared closed by Mr. Katsuji Nakamura, Chairperson of JALTAK Kenya. This year, the winner of Japanese speech contest was Ms. Mbithe Nzomo, a student at Strathmore University.

The number of Japanese Language students in Kenya is currently more than 1800. Some outstanding students have been given the opportunity to participate in the Japan Foundation’s Japanese Language training program in Japan.