Japanese Speech Contest 2025

On May 31, the Embassy of Japan and the University of the West Indies (UWI) hosted the Japanese Speech Contest 2025 with the cooperation of JICA, Japanese Teachers Association in Jamaica, Japanese Society in Jamaica, JET Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica, and with the support from APIC, the Japan Foundation and East Japanese. Japanese Ambassador Yasuhiro Atsumi and Dr. Teresa Villoria Nova, Head of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at UWI gave the opening remarks, which was followed by presentations of 6 learners of Japanese language. The speech topics were “My Favorite Things” (Level 1) and “The Environment/Tourism/Energy” (Level 2). Ms. Webster won Level 1, and Mr. Coke won Level 2. In addition, the UWI Japan Club sang, Japanese residents danced to introduce Japanese culture, Ms. Thomas, who is a graduate of the UWI and who last year won the top pride of the Contest and represented Jamaica at RCCJ Speech Contest in Trinidad & Tobago, gave a video message and Mr. Grahame, graduate of UWI as well and programme officer at JICA in Jamaica, gave a presentations on their experience and insights on studying Japanese and their aspirations.