On February 22nd, thirteen university and college students from four Michigan schools presented speeches in Japanese at the 30th Annual Michigan Japanese Speech Contest.

Four judges listened carefully to each speech and had the opportunity to ask follow-up questions to help them determine the winners. Serving as judges this year were Consul General Hajime “Jimmy” Kishimori of the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, Mr. Naoya Hattori of the Japan Business Society of Detroit, Mr. K. Michael Gillum of the Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario, and Ms. Yuko Asano of the Japan Society of Detroit Women’s Club.

The contest was presented by the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit and the Japanese Teachers Association of Michigan and hosted by Washtenaw Community College and supported by the Japan Business Society of Detroit, the Japan America Society of Michigan and Ontario, Japan Foundation of Los Angeles, and Japanese Teachers Association of Michigan.