Remarks by C.G. Kamo at the KZOO Nihongo Hanashikata 

(Japanese Speech) Contest

March 10, 2012

Ohayo Gozaimasu. Aloha!

 It is always nice to see many young people who are studying Japanese. Thank you for inviting me to this exciting event in which young people compete each other their skills in speech making in Japanese.

In my view, this opportunity that KZOO gives is most rewarding. All of you are gathering here to demonstrate your foreign language skills, of course. But another important aspect of this speech contest dwells in the fact that you would speak before your audience. Throughout your life, speaking before your audience is challenging. It requires skills of communication and sending messages. It is also quite important for you to get it done properly if you want to be successful in life. This is an opportunity you can utilize to practice your public speaking, this time in Japanese.

Taking this opportunity I would like to thank KZOO for giving young people a chance to make public speeches before their audience. This experience will widen their potentials to be successful in life. Your untiring commitment to perpetuating Japanese language and traditions is most appreciative and commendable.

皆さん。今日はこれまでの練習の成果を発揮できるように力一杯頑張ってください。しっかりと練習を積んできたので自信を持って臨んでください。幸運を祈ります。