2025 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest
2025/3/19
Consul General Naganuma
Japanese Teachers Association of Texas President Ueda (Ginther)
On March 8th, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2025 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest with the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH).
Now in its 36th year, the contest has become a tradition that provides an opportunity for Japanese language learners in Texas to showcase the results of their daily study. The Japanese Association of Greater Houston, the Japan Business Association of Houston, and the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT) cooperated in organizing the competition, with representatives from each organization serving as judges.
During the opening ceremony, Consul General Naganuma thanked the participants for choosing to study Japanese and encouraged them to continue their studies. He also expressed his hope that they would serve an active role as a bridge between Japan and the United States.
The competition was divided into five categories: Poetry Recitation, Haiku, High School Free Speech, College Free Speech, and an Open Division. A total of 35 contestants participated, including three speakers in the Open Division and 32 winners from the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contests.
Although the contestants may have been nervous, they confidently demonstrated the results of their daily studies, all to the cheers of their friends and families. During the breaks, participants could be seen interacting with each other, taking advantage of the valuable opportunity for communication among Japanese language learners.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support Japanese language education in Texas.
Now in its 36th year, the contest has become a tradition that provides an opportunity for Japanese language learners in Texas to showcase the results of their daily study. The Japanese Association of Greater Houston, the Japan Business Association of Houston, and the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT) cooperated in organizing the competition, with representatives from each organization serving as judges.
During the opening ceremony, Consul General Naganuma thanked the participants for choosing to study Japanese and encouraged them to continue their studies. He also expressed his hope that they would serve an active role as a bridge between Japan and the United States.
The competition was divided into five categories: Poetry Recitation, Haiku, High School Free Speech, College Free Speech, and an Open Division. A total of 35 contestants participated, including three speakers in the Open Division and 32 winners from the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contests.
Although the contestants may have been nervous, they confidently demonstrated the results of their daily studies, all to the cheers of their friends and families. During the breaks, participants could be seen interacting with each other, taking advantage of the valuable opportunity for communication among Japanese language learners.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support Japanese language education in Texas.
