Opening Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at The 43rd Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian State Final 2012 On Sunday 16th September 2012
The Hon Nicholas Kotsiras, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship,
Mr Tokuya Mizuno of Swinburne University of Technology,
Mr Hiroshi Honda, President and other Members of the Committee of the Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria,
Professor Kaori Okano, Mr Chris Lee, and other Judges of this Contest,
Organisers,
Sponsors,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and welcome to this multicultural experiment.
I appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of the Annual Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian State Final 2012.
皆様おはようございます。私は日本語スピーチコンテストにエントリーしていないので、英語でお話ししたいと思います。
I said that as I am not a contestant of Japanese speech, I will speak in English.
First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following organisations and individuals:
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development of Victoria,
City of Melbourne,
Japan Foundation,
Swinburne University of Technology,
Committee of the Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria,
Judges,
Japanese Society of Melbourne, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Melbourne, and their member companies,
Japan Club of Victoria,
Japanese Language Teachers Association of Victoria,
Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education,
Universities of Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe and RMIT,
Hakubaku Australia,
Kanga Kanga,
Keiko Hongo Family Fund,
Ms. Mioko Wood,
Professor J. V. Neustupny,
and anonymous donors for their contributions to bringing this event together.
I also acknowledge, of course, the efforts of the contestants themselves and the encouragement of their teachers and families.
Last month Melbourne was again declared to be the world’s most liveable city for the second year in a row by the Economist Intelligence Unit, and we should congratulate ourselves for that.
In this connection, I repeatedly said on various occasions and I am going to say this now again that perhaps the activities of Japanese companies with their Australian partners and cultural programs organised by Japanese residents with the participation of Australians here are also contributing to this liveability, that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
Against the background of these positive relations between Japan and Australia, I have felt strong bonds of friendship in witnessing the sincere sympathy and massive support extended from Australia to Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. Thus I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express once again my utmost gratitude. Thank you very much.
Now, the Japanese language speech contest here is an interesting and important multicultural experiment.
The contestants are Australians.
The language to be spoken is Japanese.
The Judges are Japanese, Australians, and perhaps others as well.
In order for you to be successful in Japanese speech, you are not only advised to know Japanese words, pronunciation and grammar, but also Japanese culture and society, and perhaps Japanese economy and politics as well.
The winners today will include those who will go to Sydney to compete for the national championships, and will receive here awards and gifts, including, perhaps, Japanese crafts.
Moreover, this year a new prize is considered.
Internship, or work experience opportunity at some renowned Japanese companies here.
So the contest today to be conducted in this world’s most liveable city is an interesting multicultural experiment.
Mr Minister, yes?
My colleague, Ms Keiko Egusa, Director of Japan Information and Culture Centre of the Consulate-General of Japan told me that learning a foreign language is a way to open a new world. When I started to learn English at secondary school in Japan, many, many years ago, the Beatles were still playing and singing. I tried very hard to learn the songs of the Beatles, which opened a new horizon for me.
I hope the contestants here are already experiencing or will experience soon a fascinating new world in this multicultural society.
We hear that the general quality of Victorian contestants is the best in Australia.I hope that the contestants have made good preparation. And I look forward to listening good Japanese speeches.
In conclusion, I wish you all the best. がんばってください。 Thank you.