University of Calgary students win awards at the 36th Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest

UCalgary students Ezgi Ince and May Pham were awarded for their unique and inspiring speeches at this year’s Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest, held on March 30th, 2025

The annual Canadian National Japanese Speech Contest took place for the 36th time on March 30th, 2025, hosted by York University. Each year, the Canadian National Speech Contest invites top performers from the provincial speech contest to demonstrate their Japanese language and speech skills in four categories: Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, and Open. This year, 24 students from all over Canada delivered their inspiring speeches with incredible accuracy and skill, with two representing the University of Calgary in their respective categories.

Consulate General Takeshi Matsunaga gave opening remarks, providing encouragement and support to the contestants. The contest was attended by Dr. Walter Davis, Interim Director of the University of Alberta’s Prince Takamodo Japan Centre for Teaching and Research, and judged by Dr. Atsuko Hashimoto, Mr. James Heron, Mr. Takeshi Matsunaga, Mr. Takeshi Mitsui, and Ms. Noriko Yamamoto.

Ezgi Ince and May Pham, who were awarded first place in their respective categories at the 34th Alberta District Japanese Speech Contest, were invited to participate in the event.

Ezgi Ince was awarded second place in the advanced category for her speech titled “A Healthy Escape: The Psychology Behind Our Attraction for Cute Things”, in which she highlighted the connection between our unexplainable attraction to cute things and our desire to escape from reality, as well as our longing to return to childhood. She explored this phenomenon through both biology and psychology, incorporating research and anecdotes from her personal experience.

May Pham was awarded third place in the beginner category, with her speech titled “My Recipe for Happiness”, in which she expressed her love and passion for baking delicious treats for her loved ones and friends and how her craft brings happiness to herself and those around her.

Their speeches can be viewed through the CAJLE website.

We congratulate their achievement and want to give our special thanks to all the judges, organizing members, and the kind sponsors who made such a fantastic event possible.

We would also like to show our sincere gratitude to the SLLLC Japanese program and the instructors who showed guidance and support to the participating students and encouraged them through their Japanese language learning journey: Akiko Sharp, Yoko Kodama, Hinako Ishikawa, Hitomi Krebes, and Hitomi Nishikawa.