On October 27, Okayama University connected with China and the six national universities in Japan (Chiba University, Niigata University, Kanazawa University, Okayama University, Nagasaki University, Kumamoto University) online to hold the 9th Okayama Cup Japanese Speech Contest.

This speech contest has been held every year since 2014 with the aim of encouraging students to study Japanese at universities in the three northeastern provinces of China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning) and enhancing collaboration between Japanese and Chinese universities. The contest was organized in collaboration with the Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS), the Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Beijing Representative Office. For this year's online event, student volunteers and staff from Northeast Normal University in Changchun, Jilin, China provided support for the operations.

This year, 52 students from 11 universities applied for the contest. After the first round of screening based on video submissions, 10 students (5 each from the speech and recitation categories) gave presentations online to audiences from the three northeastern provinces of China and the six national universities.

The judges included Consul General KATAE Takashi from the Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang, Okayama University Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi, and faculty members from the six national universities. They conducted a rigorous evaluation, and the grand prize in the speech category was awarded to Jiang Jin from Dalian University of Foreign Languages, while the grand prize in the recitation category went to Hu Jiayi, also from Dalian University of Foreign Languages. As a complimentary prize from the Okayama University, they received a study trip to Okayama University. Guan Xiaoxi from Dalian Maritime University received the "Consul General's Award," which was presented by Consul General Katae.

Building on more than 30 years of exchange with universities in Northeast China, Okayama University will continue to promote academic exchange among Okayama University, the six national universities, and universities in Northeast China. This will nurture human resources who will serve as a bridge for Japan-China friendship.

○Six National Universities International Education, Research System (SixERS)
An organization established within the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan to promote international collaboration and cooperation among the six national universities. Okayama University Vice President for International Affairs and Alumni SUZUKI Takayoshi serves as the director of the organization.

○The Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan
The Consortium was established in March 2013 for the purpose of further strengthening functions of education, academic research, social contribution, etc., and promoting human resource development and upgrading academic research to lead global society through cooperation among the six national universities, while respecting their independence and self-reliance.