On May 11, the 30th Annual Japanese Speech Contest (the national final of the open category), which was co-organized by the Japan Foundation, the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur, in cooperation with the Japan Overseas Enterprises Association, Kinokuniya Bookstores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Kokuyo International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Japan Airlines Co.,Ltd, Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd. was held at the Japan Club of Kuala Lumpur.

This contest included a category which comprised of high school students (held on April 20), and a category consisting of students on a preparatory education program to study in a Japanese University (August 16). Director Yokoyama of the Japan Information Service of the Embassy was a judge at the contest.

The contest on May 11th was held with a view to encourage Japanese language studies among university students and adults who continue to study Japanese and promote  Japanese language studies in Malaysia as well as foster an understanding of Japan among Malaysians and contribute to strengthen the bilateral relations between Japan and Malaysia.  The judges selected Ms. See Yin Han, a student of the Malaya University, as the winner of the contest, with her speech entitled “The Place in My Heart”. Ms. See said she did not expect to win the contest and that the victory would encourage her to study harder.

Mr. Ichiro Shimizu, the chief judge of the contest and a member of the board of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commented that based on the overall contest result,  the judges were impressed with the participants’ excellent level of Japanese and their zeal in studying the Japanese language.  The judges were also encouraged by the participants’ positive attitude towards life.