Online Japanese Speech Contest 2021.11.21 Videos

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were unable to hold the speech contest last year, but it was held online this year.

There were 7 participants whose videos were taken in the lounge meeting room, while another 2 people participated online.

If you click on a presenter’s picture, it will become a Video. 

 Moderator

Hapsari Puspitaloka (Puspa)　【Indonesia】（7 years, 2 months in Japan）

Boucher Durand Gwenlyna【France】（1 year, 10 months in Japan）

Photography is my hobby. I started when I received my first camera from my father 15 years ago. The first photograph that I took was of the flowers and trees next to my house. After that, I began taking photos of cosplayers I met at anime conventions and of scenery in different places around the world. Today, I will talk about my photography journey.

PHAM TRANG NHUNG【Vietnam】　(2 years in Japan)

The Dragon Boat Festival started long ago in China, and I will talk about it in Taiwan and Japan. When I was a child, I remember having fun watching a boat race with my family during the Dragon Boat Festival. I was very surprised when I found out that Children’s Day in Japan was the same as the Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan. I was also surprised to find out that the rice dumplings we eat in Taiwan during the Dragon Boat Festival can also be found in many varieties in Japan, too. 

Mr. Shohei Yoshida, Professor at Yokohama National University

Guest

Mr. Akio Ozawa, Aoba Ward Mayor

There are 4,400 foreign residents living in Aoba Ward

 Japanese Speech Event 　2019.11.10 　You can view the video of each speaker

Japanese Speech Event for students attending Japanese classes was held at Yamauchi Chiku Center in Azamino. 　2019.11.10

8 students from 5 different countries gave a speech.

[China] Wang Fang (1 year in Japan)

“The Differences Between Growing Up in China and Japan”

In China, a majority of children are raised by mothers or a mother-in-law, and so children are adored and even spoiled. In Japan, children are generally raised by their parents, which means that children should do as much as they can by themselves. Kindergarten in China emphasizes skills like singing and English, while Japanese kindergartens emphasize independence and fitness. I think that there are many things to be learned from early childhood education.

  

[India] Joshi Abhijit (6 years in Japan)

“India’s Fate”

I will talk about politics in India, both past and present. India changed in 2014.

The new Prime Minister cut off corruption and deepened relations with other countries,

which has given Indians a sense of national pride.

 

[China] Zheng Chonghui (2 years, 1 month in Japan)

“Differences between Japan and China from my point of view”

When you compare Japanese and Chinese men, a distinction for me is that a lot of Japanese men have long hair.

And if you look at Japanese women, you can often see them wearing short skirts even in the cold of winter.

I’ll talk about more differences like this.

 

 

[Taiwan] Yu Tingya (2 years in Japan)

“I grew up watching Japanese anime”

When I was in kindergarten, my father gave me “Sailor Moon” stationary – a memory that stands out the most about that time. In the anime “Chūka Ichiban”, there’s a line that young people in Taiwan still use today – 「だからそのタレはどこ」(Translation: “So where is that sauce?”). Since coming to Japan, I watch anime in Japanese for listening practice.

 

[China] Zhao Mengcun (1 year, 6 months in Japan)

“Learn about China through Historical Tales”

I will talk about the relationship with the Japanese through history.

I thought that learning about each other through games and literature was a good way to build an understanding as neighbouring countries.  

 

 

[Russia] Terekhin Sergei (6 months in Japan)

“The Reason Why I Like Japan”

When I was a child, I watched the “Pokemon” anime. I learned more about Japan from there. Samurai and ninja are the most interesting part for me. Japan also has many interesting festivals. Japanese people are kind, and Japanese food is delicious. My dream is to live in Japan and work for a game company. I want to study Japanese so that I can enter a company.

   

 

[China] Zhang Aohan (1 year, 1 month in Japan)

“Do you like beer? Daytime Beer Market”

This summer, I sold beer as an intern at a Chinese branch of Budweiser.

The Chinese lager “Tsingtao beer” is 75 yen per can, and the bitter but flavorful ale “Goose Island” is 400 yen per can, so there’s a difference in price between the two. Why not try an ale with the scent of citrus and flowers?

 

[Vietnam] Le Thi Thuy (1 year, 4 months in Japan)

“Hurry – stand up by yourself!”

I’ll talk about types of child training in Japan and Vietnam. When a child at a park tripped on a rock and fell,

Japanese mother said “Hurry – stand up by yourself! Count to 3, and mama will leave.”

After that, the child stopped crying and stood up! Isn’t that amazing?

 

    Moderator

    [India] Joshi Mannjusha (6 years in Japan)

    Participated in the 2018 Speech Event.

      Click here.

 

 

       Judge

       Ms. Ayako Kishine

       Kanrin Japanese School

　

   

  Guests

  (Left) Mr. Yusuke Okada, Deputy Mayor of Aoba Ward

  (Right) Mr. Hajime Tsubouchi, Director of Yamauchi Chiku Center

　　　

 

   Performance

   Acapella performance by “Beagle” from Kokugakuin University

 

 

 Japanese speech event 2018 You can watch the video of it.

[China]  Deng Dia   (staying in Japan for 3 years and 10 months)　

“Heaven for singles”

I think foreign people feel that Japan is the easy place for singles to live. 

In China, it is common to move in groups.  

 However, I learned that business for singles is thriving in Japan.  I will talk about it.  

 

[China]  Xu Jiaying    (staying in Japan for 4years and 6 months) 

“China where no purse is necessary”

Mobile payment is surging rapidly in China.  It is called WeChat pay.  

Making payment without a purse is a routine now.

Even in Japan the same trend is beginning to happen.

I will tell you about the life in China without a purse. 

 

[China]   Hu Yue    (staying in Japan for 11 months)

“I got used to the life in Japan.”

When I came to Japan, I couldn’t speak Japanese well and

climate and dietary habit of Japan is quite different from those of Shenyang, my home town.

As the result, I often got sick. Recently I can spend every day in a sense of satisfaction, studying Japanese and communicating with Japanese through my hobby of making bread.

[Vietnam]    Tran Thi Phuong Diem    (staying in Japan for 4 years and 10 months)

“Convenient Japanese”

Though I have been in Japan for more than 4 years, I started studying Japanese one year ago.

The reason why I started studying Japanese is because I happened to find a book about the history of Kanji character.

While I was studying, I found that the grammar of Japanese language is more convenient than that of English.

Today I want to talk about it.

 

[USA]     Fletcher Joshua Hikaru   (staying in Japan for 7 months)

“How to enjoy the life.”

It is important for us to accept the moment of our life.

When it is sad or happy, cry as you should. It is also important to have several hobbies. 

Speaking casually to the people you see every day is also important.  

Your one word might make someone’s life comfortable. 

 

[Taiwan]   Kan Yuyu     (staying in Japan for 2 years)

 “Significance of taking a photo”

I first took a photo when I went on the school excursion of the elementary school. 

I learned Japanese culture relating to Japanese climate and history through my favorite hobby of taking photos. 

Taking photos means a lot in my life, because photos are the record of my memory and the proof of my living.

 

 

[Indonesia]     Lya Hulliyyatus Suadaa   (staying in Japan for 1 year and 6 months)

“Travel of Seishun 18 unlimited train ticket”

My family traveled last winter using Seishun 18 ticket. 

Since we don’t have snow in Indonesia, we planned to go to Kanazawa.

When we arrived at Kanazawa station, we were welcomed by snow shower. 

I made a snowman at Shirakawago.  Since the ticket allow us to travel on only local trains, it took long time but was fun. 

 

[Indonesia]   Eddo Erri Rufi Inawan    (staying in Japan for 2) years

 “My life in Japan”

I am working for a painting company as a technical intern. 

I am working very hard to learn painting technique every day though the work is very tough. 

 I am Muslim; therefore I can eat only Halal cuisine. 

I buy foodstuffs carefully in Japan and cook them by myself. 

 

[India]  Joshi Manjushe, JoshiAnisha    (staying in Japan for 5 years)

“Is Japanese language similar to Marathi?”

I have been in Japan for 5 years.

While studying Japanese, I found there are some similarities between Japanese and Marathi

which is the language of the state I grew up. 

In this speech, I would like to tell you some similar sentence styles and proverbs of Marathi.  

 

[India]  Selva Kumaran    (staying in Japan for 1 year 5 months)

“About difference of culture”

I have been in Japan for a little more than one year.   

I am working for a German manufacture. 

 I want to talk my findings about differences and similarities of culture, human behavior and customs between Japan and India. 

 

[Vietnam]    Nguyen Thi Lanh   (staying in Japan for 2 year and 5 months )

“I progressed through nursery care work in Japan.” 

I came to Japan to study nursery care work which is not yet known in Vietnam. 

At the beginning, I couldn’t work in a proactive way and communicate with senior people well. 

Owing to the suggestions of senior colleagues and elderly people,

now I can plan the work by myself and communicate with people in the facility. 

 

[China]     Xu Haiyan   (staying in Japan for 1 year 3 months)

“Difference of child-raising in China from that in Japan”

I’ve been in Japan for one year.  I want tell you about the child-raising I experienced in two countries. 

In China, 70% of child-raising are supported by grandparents. 

In this speech I will tell you some examples.   

On the other hand, I think parents do most of child-raising in Japan. 

 

 

 

Coodinator :

 [China]  Zhao Yanan    (staying in Japan for 2years 7 months)

 

  

 

 

Commentator： 

Ms. Ayako Kishine, Kanlin Japanese School

 

 

 

 

 

Guest of honor:  　　

Mr.Yusuke Okada, Vice director of Aoba ward

  

　　　

 

  

 

Attraction show ： 

Fula dance by the members of “KAIMANAHILA” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Japanese speech event 2017     You can watch the video of it.

[Russia]    Tsutsui (筒井) Nataria　(staying in Japan for 10 years）

”I am happy now.”

I return to Russia once a year.   I returned to Russian in August this year for one month.

During my absence, my 8 years old daughter spent 3 weeks with her cousins separated from me. 

I was very happy to see my daughter who is a Japanese elementary school girl being able to spend alone in Russian language environment. 

 

 

[Colombia]    Johana Martinez　　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”Difference of foods between Colombia and Japan”

There are four seasons in Japan, hence there are various kinds of dishes of the season.

For example, “Oden” is for cold winter.  But in tropical climate Colombia, we don’t have four seasons. 

Therefore, there is no difference of dishes depending on the season.

I make Japanese dishes such as Miso soup and Nikujaga from time to time.  I like them very much.  

 

[India]　Aparna　Jaiswal　　(staying in Japan for 1 year）

”What I experienced and felt in Japan”

When I arrived at Japan for the first time, I took a taxi from Machida station to my house. 

On the way I had an accident. The taxi driver had a fit and the taxi hit the gate of a house and stopped.

It was very scary. But the people near the house helped us. 

I felt that Japanese people were very kind.

 

[India]　Jaya Jadhao　　(staying in Japan for 2 years 2 months）

”About the difference between India and Japan”

There are four seasons in Japan. 

But we have winter, summer, and rainy season.  In summer the temperature goes up to 45C.  Indian foods are also different from that of Japan.

Curry in India is quite spicy and there are many kinds. 

The Great Buddha in Kamakura is majestic but Pagoda temple in India is also famous.  Please visit once.

 

 

[China]　Zhao Yanan 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 7 months）

“Experiences in Japan”　

I went to Edo-Tokyo museum in June. This is a good place to study the history of Edo era. 

There are big models of Tokyo in Edo era, Edo castle, and town houses of Edo. 

There were also an exhibition of structure of Edo Shogunate and a diorama of the town along Sumida River.

They were very impressive.  

 

[China]　Zhang Hangtian 　　(staying in Japan for 1 year）

“My wish to be a Miyadaiku to preserve traditional culture”

Though I was aiming at entering a graduate school, I was still unsure about my life plan. After a long careful reflection,

I changed my direction for aiming at a Miyadaiku (a carpenter specializing in temple/shrine construction).

The reason of change is that I want to be a bridge between Japan and China using the knowledge to repair old traditional architectures, since there are many old, (and sometimes) collapsed architectures which need to be repaired not only in Japan but also in China.  

 

[India]　Madhulika Mahapatra　　(staying in Japan for 2 years 7 months）

”Experiences in Japan”

Japan is a special country. 

In most countries, parents take their children to school,

but in Japan an elementary school child goes to school alone by train.  In Japan children are taught to clean a classroom and toilets.

They are also taught to manage their own affairs. 

 

[Vietnam]　Vong Thi Hien　　　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”About beauty care”

In Vietnam, women wear face mask in summer to avoid suntan and also wear a long dress with hood. 

I was surprised to see Japanese women wearing half sleeve shirts.

I started using sunscreen cream.

I don’t want to get a suntan.  

 

[China]　Yu Ronghua 　（staying in Japan for 1 year）

”Start with confidence in myself”

A life is like a one-time-only travel. The most important thing is to have confidence in oneself.

I was very nervous to come to Japan. 

I trusted myself, resigned my job, and came with my 5 year old daughter to Japan where my husband lived. I am very happy every day now. 

When I get up in the morning, I always believe that this is another wonderful day. 

 

[China]　Wang Huaying 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 2 months）

”Difference of dietary culture between Japan and China”

In Japanese cooking, it is important to keep the taste of original foodstuff.

So people eat them raw or with a little seasoning.

In Chinese cooking there are more seasonings than in Japanese cooking. 

In northern area, people prefer oily, hot dishes, whereas in southern area people prefer spicy foods.  

 

[USA]　Kanazawa (金澤)　Cathy　　(staying in Japan for 5 years 6months）

”My impression of living in Japan”

This is the second visit to Japan. I get a cultural shock every time. 

The most surprised matter this time is that Japanese people work too much. 

There is no word for “karoshi” in English. 

I want that Japanese people value private time more and “karoshi” to be gone.  

 

[Vietnam]　Dinh Thi Hai Yen 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”About pets”

Japanese dogs are very cute. They are small and hair color is beautiful. 

I want to live with a dog, but I looked at a pet shop and found that a dog is very expensive here. 

Sometime I see a dog in a cloth on the street.

I want to rush to it and hug it.   

 

Chaired by:

 

[Thailand]　Fujita (藤田) Duangkamon　(staying in Japan for 2 years） (left)

 

[China]         Yong Jiawei     (staying in Japan for4 years） (right)

 

 

 

Guest of honor:  Mr. Toshimi Ohno, vice director of Aoba ward)　 (center)　　　

                             Mr. Kazuto Nakagawa, director of Yamauchi Community Center (left)

Commentator：  Ms. Ayako Kishine, Kanlin Japanese School (right)

  

 

Attraction show ：

Magic show by Mr. Ken Ho

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Japanese Speech Event by Foreigners learning Japanese 2016

Nguyen　Thi　Tam（from Vietnam, staying in Japan for 5 years）

“Gratified experience”

One day, when I lived in Kyoto, I got on the bus without my wallet.

When I was in difficulty to get off the bus, a girl beside me gave me a coupon ticket.

I told about it to my co-worker, then she gave me a ticket for my return way.

 I thought how kind they were.

 

Lin Yingchen（from China staying in Japan for 1 year）

“Difference in child-raising”

Chinese children spend most of their time for studying without having any time to play.

In Japan, I feel that children learn a lot through playing.

I have to consider how to balance study time and play time for my children. 

 

 

Wen Limei（from Hong Kong, China, staying in Japan for 1 year）

“Japanese is difficult”

Learning Japanese is difficult.  Even if I understand the meaning of Kanji character, I sometimes make a mistake in using it.

Pronunciation of prolonged sound, contracted sound, dull sound are very difficult too*.  I am studying singing a song to improve these sounds.

 Let’s practice Japanese hard so that we can enjoy the life in Japan. 

* Prolonged : カー、オー(kah,oh) , Contracted：キャ、キュ、キョ(kya,kyu,kyo),　Dull：ガ、ダ、ザ、バ(ga,da,za,ba)

 

Yuan Qianying（from China, staying in Japan for 8 months）

 “Why there is less traffic jam in Japan?”

Traffic jam in China is far heavier than that in Japan.

In Japan, parking on the side of the road is generally illegal and there are many parking lots using open spaces.

We should promote the traffic rules and making parking lots first in China.

 

 

Fujita Duangkamol（from Thailand, staying in Japan for 1 year）

 “The custom of Thailand, different from that of Japan”

In Thailand, we have meals basically at a food stall or in a restaurant, whereas people in Japan cook and eat meals mostly at home.  

In Thailand, we season food when we eat, but in Japan, we eat without seasoning at the table.

We cannot say which is better.

It is important to understand the custom and respect it.  

 

Armelia Melkias（from Indonesia, staying in Japan for 2 years）

“My hometown Bandung”

Bandung where I was born is the capital of West Java state of Indonesia and the fourth largest city in Indonesia.

There are historical buildings and you can enjoy gourmet foods and hot spring.

Please go and see there.

I want to visit many places while I am in Japan.  

 

Usmani Kamran（from Pakistan, staying in Japan for 19 years）

“Japanese in Roman character”

When I came to Japan, I didn’t have time to study Japanese.

I learned Japanese through watching TV, listening to my friends and using Roman character.

Now I understand Japanese, but I have had funny experiences too.  

Please study the difference of pronunciation between "r" and "l" correctly.

 

Chen Zhengjun（from China, staying in Japan for 1 year）

“I want to be a pastry chef of Japanese cake”.

I wanted to be a pastry chef since I was a child.  After I traveled to Kyoto, I decided to be a pastry chef of Japanese cake.  

The result of a long life experience can be explained in Japanese cakes.

I quit my job and came to Japan to study Japanese.  

I will enter a pastry school next spring.  I am getting closer to my dream.  

 

Yong Jiawei（from China, staying in Japan for 3 years）

“Impression of Mountain climbing in Japan”

We can enjoy attractive Japanese culture in the nature away from the crowd.  

Climbers carry garbage bags and going down climbers give way to climbers going up and exchange words.  

In mountain climbing, going down is important because it secures your accomplishment.

In our life, to secure our accomplishments is very important.  This impression will be my lifelong treasure. 

 

Sun Myunghyo（from Korea, staying in Japan for 4 years）

“How to live your own unique life”

After reading the novel “Convenience store man”, I realized that I have the same problem as the man in the novel.

But I found it not exciting and pleasant only to worry about how people look at me.  

I want to live my own life vividly with a pride. 

 

 

Huang Xiaoqiao（from Taiwan, staying in Japan for 1 year）

“Something I found in Japan”

I work for a Japanese company.  

I found differences from Taiwan in greeting manner, calmness in the train, and attitude of being “always yes”.  

But there are tasty foods, and variety of goods.  

Toilet is very comfortable.  I like the town too.  Please come to Taiwan. 

 

Tony Garner (from England, staying in Japan for 1 year)

“Children’s book”

I often read children’s books because I have a daughter who is two year and 9 month old.

So I can understand the Japanese culture well.

In “Kasajizo (Capped Ksitigarbha)” story, Ksitigarbha moves as if it were a human being, which would be very scary for people in Europe.

But in this story it is not. I guess this is because of the difference of culture. 

 

Chaired by: 

 

Mr. Neil Hasegawa Yates (from England, staying in Japan for 20 years) and

 

Ms. Geraldine Tsuyuki (from USA, staying in Japan for 25 year)

 

 

 

Guest of honor: Mr. Toshimi Ohno (vice director of Aoba ward) 

 

Commentator: Ms. Ayako Kishine of Hanlin Japanese School 

 

  

 

Attraction

1. Karate performance by Ms. Noriko Kobayashi and her children

2.Chorus by Harmony Swan

    “Furusato no shiki (four seasons in homeland”(Japanese school song)

 

 

 

 

 Japanese Speech 2015

[Japan]　　Yusuke Noguchi   (staying in Japan for 2 years 5 months) 

“Self-introduction and recitation”

I was born in Philippines and came to Japan two years ago when I was 1st grade of junior high school.  I studied Hiragana and Kanji at “Himawarinokai” on Saturday and Sunday.  I had no friend at the beginning, but later one friend taught me about Japan.  After joining the basket ball club, I got many friends with whom I am spending joyful days.  At the beginning, my friends laughed at me whenever I made mistakes in Japanese.   I continued my effort not to get angry and to have smile always.   In the future, I want to study to be a pilot of US Navy.  I recite the poem by Kenji Miyazawa, “Unbeaten by rain”.  

 

[Cina]　 Xiu Yanhua　 (staying in Japan for 1year 6 months)

“What I like in Japanese life.”

 I will tell you what I like in Japanese life.  First one is good service.  People at hospitals and shops are courteous at all times thinking about us.  Next one is that relatives are always kind and accept us with kind heart. I am very happy about it.   The last one is the fact that there are many convenient things.   Connection between trains and busses are very good and there is variety of choice of goods.  I want to continue living in Japan.   

 　　　　　　 

 

[Korea]　Lee Sunee    (staying in Japan for 19 years)

”The power that support me”

I still remember the moment when I arrived at Japan 19 years ago.  That fresh feeling had gradually faded away and lost confidence in me through the experiences of not being able to express myself well, or feeling loneliness.  That was the time when I came across a catholic church.   While I started going there to pray, I began to feel a new power in mind and found a way to encourage myself in hard times.   I will move forward praying to God.  

  

 

[Indonesia]　Maulana Abdul Aziz   (staying in Japan for  2 years 2 months)

“My worries before coming to Japan”

My biggest worry before coming to Japan to study at Tokyo Institute of Technology as a graduate student was whether or not Halal foods allowed by Islamic law were available in Japan.  Alcohol drinks and pork are prohibited and it is also prohibited to use cookware used for pork cooking.  But I understood that I don’t need to worry about it, finding out that I can buy foodstuffs with Halal logo at supermarket for cooking myself and can find restaurants for Moslem by smart phone.  I also found that the school cafeteria of TIT provides Halal Ramen and Halal deep fried chicken (kara age).  Thus I was released from my worry. 

 

 [USA]　　Guy Rose  (staying in Japan for 6 years)

“Experiences in Japan”

In Japan people get on the train in an orderly manner even if it is overcrowded. If it were in the USA, there can be a fight. I was surprised to find that I can withdraw money, pay a bill, or buy a concert ticket at a convenience store. In USA, drinking on the street is prohibited, but it is possible in Japan.  I felt it ghostlike when I saw dried bonito flakes moving on hot Okonomi yaki as if they were living.  I tried squat toilet several times, but I couldn’t get used to it. I was surprised when I used shower toilet for the first time.  But now I can’t live without it.  Once I made a mistake saying “chikubi”, nipple, instead of “ekubo“, dimple, which made others laugh. 

 

 

 [China]  Deng Qiyue    (staying in Japan for 1year 6 months)

“Story of Animation and me”

I like animation since I was a child.  Now animation is like a god for me.  When I was a junior high student, my grades were bad and I was scalded by my teacher. My family concerned about it.  In such days, I saw a movie “Spirited away” by Hayao Miyazaki.  I was encouraged by Chihiro and became aggressive.   Animation is something like a magic for me.  When I was a high school student, I liked “cosplay” and I participated at many events.   When I was in Chihiro’s costume, I could see the world from Chihiro’s point of view.  My shyness faded away and became more confident.  As a result I could have more friends.  Thanks to animation and cosplay, I live in a different world from before.  I am very happy to have met animation.   

 

[China]　　Hao Qiao   (staying in Japan for 4 years)

“Blue sky”

I became a blue sky lover perhaps when I was 11.  One day, I had a feeling of closeness to the sky, different from the one in far away.   I was impressed by beauty of the blue sky.   I think it is very happy that a man can see beautiful blue sky.   Since then, I have been a blue sky lover.  When I came to Japan in 2011, I became a lover of Japanese blue sky immediately.   I think everyone should put color to one’s life as beautiful as the blue sky regardless of nationality.  We have to appreciate to God and live our given life valuably.

 

  

[Iran]　　Pooyeh Makavei    (staying in Japan for 4 years)

“New Year in Iran”

New Year’s Day in Iran is March 21.  Before New Year, we clean the house and put seven foods such as apples and rice on the table as New Year decoration.   This decoration has meaning of love and health.  New Year continues for two weeks.   During New Year, we meet with relatives, enjoy meals under the tree in the park like Japanese cherry blossom viewing, and present money like Japanese “Otoshidama”.  New Year meal includes sea food from Caspian Sea and is very delicious.    Though I am in Japan now, I decorate seven foods on the table and enjoy sea food on March 21.  

 

 

 [Germany]  P.R.   (staying in Japan for 3 years 2 months)

“Unification of Germany”

When I was 5 years old, the world changed drastically.   I have a memory that my father and I went out from the house and broke the wall.  That was the day Germany was unified.   Now, after 25 years, I think unification has not been successful.  I think that the gap between West and East got wider recently.   For example, difference of wage level, unemployment rate, and also the attitude to the refugees from Syria.   Perhaps Germany has not yet unified completely.   I feel that it may take another quarter century to realize the complete unification of economy and state of mind.    

 

 

[China]　Yin Mingshu   (staying in Japan for 2 years)

“Looking for humanities”

In China, more people have egocentric mind than before now.   Family ties are getting weaker.  In my case, I was raised by my uncle since my father passed away early.  Long ago, it was common for parents and relatives to live together.  Now most of families consist of young parents and their only child.  The relationship between neighbors became tenuous.  People don’t say even hello to each other.  I want the ties between people to get stronger. 

 

 

 

[Thailand]　　Prem Langarajidpahkong   (staying in Japan for 2 years 1 month)

“Difficulties I experienced when I came to Japan”

When I came to Japan 2 years ago, I couldn’t read Japanese.   Whenever I buy a food ticket at the restaurant, I always pushed the button at top left side of the vending machine.  One day only one boiled egg came out.  The first Japanese word I remembered was “Daijoubu”, no problem.  One day I was asked at MacDonald “For here or to go?”   I answered “Daijoubu”.  We don’t have lady’s only train car in Thailand.  I had a trouble that I couldn’t understand why someone noticed me that I couldn’t get on the car.  I thought I should have studied Japanese more before coming to Japan.  

 

 

[Indonesia]　 Silvia Paramita    (staying in japan for 15 years 5 months)

“Unforgettable experience”

When I could understand Japanese only a little, I often got confused because I couldn’t catch Japanese words well.  One day I went to buy toriniku (chicken meat) and asked “Please give me “toraniku” (tiger meat), which frightened a sales staff.   I felt ashamed after coming home and realizing that I made a mistake.  When my child was still small, a train left Shibuya station while my child had gotten on the train and I had not yet.  I got panicked since I couldn’t explain the situation in Japanese for help.   We were very happy that kind passengers on the train helped my child and we could see again in safety.    

 

 

Chairpersons

Cao Wei from China (staying in Japan for 1 year)

Ms. Malia Bautista supi-chitaikai honnyyakuirai from Philippines (staying in Japan for 4 years) 

 

 

 

 

Attraction

 We enjoyed performance by Utsukushigaoka Chamber Orchestra

 

 

 

 

 

 

Japanese speech event by foreigners studying Japanese         October 25, 2014 

 

[China]     How to make dumpling

I like cooking. In China we have more chance to eat out instead of cooking at home because most wives have job.   Chinese people like boiled dumpling rather than pan-fried dumpling.   It is made of pork, chopped vegetables and spices.  Dumpling skin is also made at home in China though people buy it　in Japan.   It is best to boil dumplings for ten minutes. It is delicious.  Please try to make it yourself.  

 

[USA]　I could do it.

When I came to Japan 23 years ago, I rely everything on my husband since I couldn’t do anything by myself.  My English speaking friend helped me and it gradually became possible for me to go anywhere alone.   I attended a tea party of kindergarten, classroom visitations and events of a school.  I joined parents’ work group and taught English voluntarily.  It is very nice that I could have been teaching at school for 11 years up to now. 

 

 

[China]  Volunteer in China

I experienced volunteer work in China with my friend during summer vacation when school is out.  　I taught elementary school children at a village in the mountain for 17 days.  There was no gas and water supply.  There were only children and their grandparents in the village because their parents were working in the town.  Children worked for a farm too.   For the last night dinner, they cooked the chicken they raised.  In the morning we left the village, children sang a song for us with tear, which really touched my heart. 

 

[Indonesia] In Sendai

Last year I visited Osaka, Nagoya and Sendai for university meetings.  Among these cities, I like Sendai best.  Foods were delicious and people were kind.   I went there by bus with my friend.   When we had trouble finding the way to Tohoku University, a Japanese who got off from the same bus kindly taught us.   Sendai is similar to my home town Lampung, Indonesia and I love it. 

[USA]   Memory of State Fair

When I was a child, I went to State Fare of Texas every year.  There were lots of oily foods.   I ate turkey and drank orange lemonade.  After that I enjoyed flying ship, giant swing and looking at animal show.  At night, I enjoyed speech of Big Tex (a cawboy robot of 16m high) 

 

[China]  Toilet culture of Japan

The first thing I was impressed when I came to Japan was a toilet.  It was depressing to go out in China since public bathrooms were dirty.   When I went to a bathroom at Narita Airport for the first time, I was surprised. When I sat on the toilet seat, sound of water flow started.  Toilet seat with bidet function, so called “WASHLET” with a dryer, and even a small bed for a baby were installed.   It was filled with warm-heartedness. 

 

[Iran]   Japanese woman and Iranian woman” from my point of view

> In Japan, there is no dress code for woman and usually women choose cloths and make up in a less obtrusive color.   Iranian woman should put on a scarf and wear a cloak when go out.   Young women prefer red, yellow, blue and green colors.  They spend several tens of minutes for heavy make up before going to the party.  In Japan, it is funny to see women doing make-up in a train while men are in the same car. 

 

 

 

 [China]  Life in Japan

When I came to Japan in March this year, I could not understand Japanese at all.   Now I can.   Daily life in Japan is interesting but very busy.   Prices are higher than in China, especially price for transportation is very high.   Woman’s clothes look very nice and I want to try.  The place I want to go most is Kyoto.  In winter, I want to see snowy landscape in Hokkaido.  I also want to try snowboarding. 

 

[China]  My home town

My home town, Yunnansheng is a sightseeing area in southwestern part of China and more than 5.33 million tourists from abroad visit every year.  The capital Kunming is located at the center highland of Yunnansheng where temperature is 15 to 30 degree C and flowers are blooming all year round.  25 ethnic minorities live in Unnansheng (There are 56 ethnic minorities in China.).  Lijiang, world heritage, has rich nature and you can listen to the music of nà xī there.  It is also famous for Pu’ercha and matsutake-mashrooms.    

 

[Philippin] Japanese primary school

I became an English teacher three years ago. Primary school children set up school lunch, eat it, clean the room, play and study together. English class in Japan is focused on fun communication.  One day, a firstgrader asked me"How many teeth have you lost, teacher? " I answered.  That child said “Oh, foreign people don’t lose baby teeth.”  Children are cute. 

 

 [Feedback of listeners]

・It is surprising that they improved their Japanese in such a short period.

・Their honest feelings about Japan were very informative.

・I will do volunteer work so that they can have more chances to get good impression on Japan. 

・They taught me Japanese touch which I am not aware of.  

・The moderator did a good job.

・They all chose good topics.  

 

 

2013　Japanese speech convention by foreigners studying Japanese       2013.11.17

Place: The meeting room on the 4^th floor of Aoba Ward Office

 Co-host: Aoba Ward Office, Yokohama City

＊  Voice of audience

・  I was surprised that all speakers were so good despite of the difficulty of Japanese.

・  I was very grad to know that all of you were studying Japanese very hard.

・  I was impressed that you were studying very hard placing importance on your own culture and customs.

　            　・　I was pleased to hear their saying “I love Japan”.

・  The host did a great job and I enjoyed it.

                 ・　It was nice to have a rare chance of listening to grass whistle.