Remarks of Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima at the 44th Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian State Final 2013 on 1 September 2013
The Hon Steve Herbert, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Japan in Victoria, and Shadow Minister for the Teaching Profession and Shadow Minister for Higher Education and Training,
Mr Hiroshi Honda, President and Members of the Committee of the Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria,
Mr Mamoru Kake, Vice CEO and Chairman, Board of Directors of Kake Educational Institution,
Ms Mihoko Ohno, Economic Strategy Bureau of the City of Osaka,
Mr Max Yasuda, President of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Melbourne,
Mr Mitsuyuki Takada, President of the Japanese Society of Melbourne,
The Japan Foundation Sidney,
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development of Victoria,
The City of Melbourne,
Japanese Language Organizations,
Swinburne University of Technology and Other Sponsor Universities,
Judges,
Contestants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I appreciate this opportunity to say a few words at the opening of the 44th Japanese Language Speech Contest Victorian State Final 2013.
First, I would like to congratulate the people of Greater Melbourne.
Last week I learned that the Economist Intelligence Unit had ranked Melbourne the world’s most liveable city for the third year running.
So I can continue to point out in my speeches the possible contribution of the collaboration and cooperation between the Japanese residents and Australian hosts to the liveability here that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, in this multicultural society.
Last year the Australian Government released a White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century where the Japanese was designated as one of the four priority languages, among others.
This year in July the Government of Victoria announced the expansion of the Hamer Scholarship Program to cover Japan and the Republic of Korea, in addition to China and Indonesia, as the destinations for foreign language training of mature Victorians.
The Growth Strategy of Japan announced in June upholds the objectives of increasing Japanese students overseas from 60,000 in 2010 to 120,000 in 2020, and foreign students in Japan from 140,000 in 2012 to 300,000 in 2020, among other measures of human resources development.
Against this background the Japanese speech contest in its 44th year is a very important endeavor.
Last year I was impressed by the quality of the speeches of the contestants.
Their Japanese was not necessarily perfect, but was easily understandable.
What struck me the most was that the messages they delivered were clear and appealing.
The contestants will have a number of awards including that of the City of Melbourne for a trip to its sister city Osaka.
From last year you have the awards of internship at Japanese companies here with the cooperation of member companies of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Melbourne.
And from this year you have the Kake Division whose winner will go to Japan for its final contest.
I should like to avail myself of this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the organizers, sponsors and supporters for their contributions to this long-standing important contest, and wish all contestants their very best.
“Contest sanka no minasan, ganbatte kudasai!”
Thank you.