Hosted by Christian House English
1st Japanese
Speech Contest
第1回日本語スピーチコンテスト
Higashikurume, Tokyo
Open to participants of all nationalities. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and non-native Japanese speakers. Learners of all proficiency levels are welcome to participate.
Contest Purpose
This contest provides people with an opportunity to share their ideas in Japanese while developing confidence, creativity, and public speaking skills.
Entry Guidelines
Date: August 8th, 2026 10AM
Entry period: June1st - July 25th, 2026
Venue: Seibi Education and Culture Center
Address: 8-14, Higashi Hon-cho, Higashikurume-shi, Tokyo
Nearest Station: Higashikurume St. Seibu Ikebukuro Line
Language: Japanese
Eligibility : Open to participants of all nationalities. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and non-native Japanese speakers.
Topic of a speech: Own choosing
Speech time: 5 - 6 minutes
Participation fee : 3,500yen
Evaluation criteria
ー 審査基準
1. Content and Structure / Score 50
-
The message should be clear.
-
The speech structure is appropriate.
-
Efforts have been made to engage the audience.
※ Speeches must be your original works. If found to be non-original, they will be disqualified from judging.
※ Speeches deemed inappropriate, such as those containing extremely biased views or defamatory content targeting specific groups, will not be permitted.
2. Vocabulary and Grammar / Score 30
-
Appropriate Japanese Grammar is used.
-
Proper Japanese phrases and expressions are used.
-
The speaker uses correct pronunciation and accent.
3. Presentation Skills / Score 20
-
Maintains eye contact and delivers the speech with expressive delivery.
-
Presents at an appropriate volume of voice that reaches the judges.
-
Uses the podium and microphone, maintaining an attitude befitting a presenter.
Total score 100
※Evaluation scores of the participants will not be disclosed.
Awards
ー 表彰について
First Prize
This award is given to honor the achievement of the participant judged to have delivered the most outstanding speech, achieving the highest score in all judging categories.
Second Place
This award is given to the participant who achieved the second-highest score in the judging categories, in recognition of his/her achievement.
Third Place
This award is given to the participant who achieved the third-highest score in the judging categories, in recognition of his/her achievement. *If no participant is deemed to meet the award criteria, the award may be declared void.
Steps to complete the entry
ー 応募方法
Complete the following steps by July 25th, 2026.
【Step 1】
※ The organizer will send you a confirmation email.
【Step 2】
Please transfer the participation fee ¥3,500 to either of the designated bank account.
Bank account information
・三井住友銀行
オリーブECRU 支店：871 普通
口座番号4035978 口座名義ウエダトシエ
・ゆうちょ銀行
記号10010 番号14091541
口座名義 ウエダトシエ
※ Once you paid the participation fee, it is non-refundable under any circumstances.
【Step 3】
Please submit your speech manuscript as a Microsoft Word or PDF file attached to an email to the organizer, including the title of your speech. The organizer will review your speech in advance to ensure that the content is appropriate for public presentation.
FAQ
ー よくあるご質問
Q. Do I have to memorize the entire speech?
A. It is preferable to memorize your speech. However, you are free to bring notes onto the stage. Please make an effort to maintain eye contact with the audience.
Q. What kind of speeches will the other contestants give?
A. The topics are varied. Please present your own thoughts and ideas on the topic you have chosen.
Q. Tell me about the venue.
A. It is the Green Hall at the Seibi Education and Culture Center (capacity: 304 people). The nearest train station is Higashi-Kurume Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, a 4-minute walk away. Paid parking is available. There are no restaurants or cafes inside the hall. Admission is free for spectators, and all seats are unreserved.