Ambassador H E Satoshi Maeda with a participant during the13th Japanese Speech Contest.
The Embassy of Japan in Qatar in collaboration with the Japanese Language Teachers Association in Qatar (JALTAQ), organised 'The 13th Annual Japanese Speech Contest' as part of the ongoing celebration of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Japan.
The speech contest was held at the premises of the Embassy of Japan with the participation of 14 learners of the Japanese language in Qatar who competed under three categories to showcase their linguistic skills.
The first place prize was sponsored by Fifty One East/FNAC and was awarded to Shahad Al Malik, a Qatari student who is currently studying for her bachelor's degree at Qatar University. She gained applause from the judges as well as the audience with an articulate speech on how Japan has impacted her life.
Other winners received prizes sponsored by the Japanese companies operating in Qatar including Chiyoda Almana, LNG Japan, Fifty One East/ FNAC, Itochu Corporation, Iwatani Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsui & Co, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Ninja Ramen and Sumitomo Corporation.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Qatar, H E Satoshi Maeda expressed his appreciation to the sponsors, participants and especially to JALTAQ who enthusiastically takes part in the promotion of Japanese language education in Qatar, and contributed to make the event possible.
H E Maeda also wished that the annual event would promote the Japanese language and culture as a whole and lead to be a solid cornerstone in the relations between Japan and Qatar.
