KUWAIT: The Embassy of Japan in Kuwait held the 16th Japanese Speech Contest in collaboration with the Center for Community Service & Continuing Education at Kuwait University and the Japanese Society in Kuwait on Sunday, Dec 10, 2023. The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) hosted the contest at the National Library of Kuwait.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Japan to Kuwait Morino Yasunari, expressed great delight in having been able to hold the event for 16 years, showing his appreciation for the continuous support of the Center for Community Service & Continuing Education at Kuwait University for Japanese language education since 1996. The ambassador also expressed his desire for more Kuwaiti people to join in learning Japanese language, which is not so difficult as it might look, but rather is very much interesting.

Ardent Japanese language learners participated in the contest, in the presence of audience of more than 60 people interested in the Japanese language and culture. The excellent performance shown by the contestants on stage impressed everyone indeed.

A side event took place as well, as a special guest, Merve Dag Al-Sharefeen, Academic Coordinator of J-MENA (Study in Japan Global Network Project in Middle East & North Africa) Ankara Office, Kyushu University, gave a presentation promoting studying in Japan with general information of various famous Japanese universities. Also, participants enjoyed watching a live performance of the Japanese martial art aikido, performed by Aikikai, which is a group of experienced aikido practitioners in Kuwait.