A large gathering of about 80 people were in attendance on the day of the contest. The 14 contestants delivered their speeches following introductory remarks by the Japanese Ambassador to Jamaica Mr. Yasuhiro Atsumi and UWI department head of Modern Languages and Literatures Dr. Villoria. This year, in addition to Level 1 (topic: Things that I Like) and Level 2 (topic: Environment/Tourism/Energy) speech topics, a new “master level” was introduced with the topic of “Jamaica, Japan and Me” in order to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the Japan-CARICOM Friendship Year 2024.

In addition to the speech contest, as an introduction to Japanese culture, the Japan Club sang and danced; a UWI student currently studying in Japan under the Japanese government’s scholarship program sent a video message; and a Jamaican diplomat who previously visited Japan as part of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s “Juntos!! Japan-Latin America and the Caribbean Exchange Inbound Program” gave a presentation.

APIC presented the winners of the contest with Japanese-language books and Japanese traditional fans, tools used for traditional ikebana flower arrangements, traditional tea ceremony, and calligraphy, and other paraphernalia related to Japanese culture. The emcee of the event introduced APIC’s activities, and Ambassador Atsumi also mentioned APIC’s role in preparing the prizes. The items APIC sent were not available in Jamaica, and recipients were thrilled with these rare goods.