The 2008 Nihongo Cup Japanese Speech Contest for Secondary Schools took place on 28th June at the Embassy of Japan in London.

A record-breaking 248 students from 21 schools across the country applied for the contest. Seventeen finalists made their speeches in the grand setting of the embassy ballroom, and impressed an audience of over 100 people with their original ideas and Japanese language skills. William Wan won first prize in the Key Stage 5 category for his speech about the novel Yukiguni (Snow Country). "It's one of those experiences in life I will never forget," said William. "I feel really confident now about doing public speaking and I was very much the opposite beforehand".

Ebo Dadey, one of the Key Stage 3 finalists, also spoke positively about his experience of the Nihongo Cup: "It helps you extend your vocabulary and go to new areas of the Japanese language, and increases your confidence in talking in front of other people"

The prize-winners in each category were as follows. However, we would like to congratulate all the finalists for your excellent speeches at the embassy, and all the applicants for recording a speech in Japanese.

Key Stage 3

1st prize - Holly Harrison, Tavistock College
Awarded the Japan Foundation Nihongo Cup trophy and gold medal, and an iPod touch from ALL.

2nd prize - Jenny Eden, Tavistock College
Awarded the Japan Foundation silver medal and a digital camera from Ricoh UK Ltd.

3rd prize - Lauren Leete, Aldercar Community Language College
Awarded the Japan Foundation bronze medal and an electronic dictionary from JP-Books (UK) Ltd.

All other Key Stage 3 finalists received an obento set from the Japan Centre.

Key Stage 4

1st prize - Zain Ahmad Riza, Wycliffe College
Awarded the Japanese Ambassador's Nihongo Cup and gold medal, and an iPod touch from ALL.

2nd prize - Jisu Lee, St Helen's School
Awarded the Japanese Ambassador's silver medal and a digital camera from Ricoh UK Ltd.

3rd prize - Samantha Day, Aldercar Community Language College
Awarded the Japanese Ambassador's bronze medal and an electronic dictionary from JP-Books (UK) Ltd.

All other Key Stage 4 finalists received an obento set from the Japan Centre.

Key Stage 5

1st prize - William Wan, Whitgift School
Awarded the ALL Nihongo Cup and gold medal, an iPod touch from ALL, and the chance to participate in the Japanese Speech Awards (JSA) in Tokyo.

2nd prize - Alex Karmazyn, South Wolds School
Awarded the ALL silver medal and a digital camera from Ricoh UK Ltd.

3rd prize - Stephanie Tress, Wellington College
Awarded the ALL bronze medal and an electronic dictionary from JP-Books (UK) Ltd.

All other Key Stage 5 finalists received a tea set from the Japan Centre.

All finalists in all Key Stages also received goody bags from the Embassy of Japan, and all Key Stage 5 finalists received goody bags from JP-Books (UK) Ltd.

The event was organised by the Japanese Language Committee of ALL, in association with the Embassy of Japan in the UK and the Japan Foundation London Language Centre. We are very grateful to the Japan Centre, JP Books UK Ltd, JSA (the Japanese Speech Awards) and Ricoh UK Ltd, for sponsoring the event and donating the above prizes, and also to JRI Europe Ltd, and Soho Japan for their generous sponsorship too.