Okayama University held the 5th Okayama Cup Japanese Speech Contest at Northeast Normal University (Changchun, Jilin, China) on October 26.
　
With the cooperation of the Consortium of Six National Universities in Japan (SixERS), Okayama University Coop, Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Beijing Representative Office, Okayama University hosted this annual contest to support students learning Japanese at universities in three provinces in northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning) and strengthen friendships between teaching staff of Okayama University and universities in northeast China.
　
The main themes for this year’s contest were “What I can do now for the future of my hometown” and “Attractive features of my hometown that I want everyone to know.” The contest was entered by 42 students from 19 universities. A total of 11 students who passed a documentary screening made a speech in front of a large audience.

The contest judges were the Director of Okayama University’s Center for Global Partnerships and Education, Yoshiyuki Murata, and teaching staff from the six Japanese national universities. As a result of a strict examination by judges, the first prize was awarded to Ms. Chang Shuting from Dalian University of Foreign Languages and the second prize was awarded to Ms. Zhao Xinyan from Northeast Normal University. The two prize winners were also awarded a 5-day study trip to Okayama University. The first prize winner Ms. Chan Shuting was also presented with the Consul General Prize (special prize) by Deputy Consul General Masahiko Sugita of the Consulate-General of Japan in Shenyang.

The teaching staff from the six Japanese national universities promoted the benefits of studying at their universities to Chinese students wishing to study in Japan through presentations, poster displays and private consultation.