L&C Students Take First and Second at State-Wide Japanese Speech Competition

Left to right, Chiho Yamahara (Japanese Language Assistant 2022-2024), Satomi Newsom (Japanese instructor), Charlotte Jaguzny (Second place winner), Eliana Bly(First place winner), and Yoshiko Reynolds (Japanese instructor)On Saturday, April 22, local Oregon college students that study the Japanese language and their supporters gathered for the 27th Annual Toyama Cup speech contest. The event is sponsored by Japan’s Toyama prefecture, Oregon’s sister state, and hosted by the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO). The event consists of a lower and higher level, with the champion of the higher level winning a trip and week-long stay in Toyama, Japan. All winners and runners-up received a variety of gifts from Toyama.

This year’s competitors came from top Japanese programs around the state, including Lewis & Clark, Pacific University, Reed College, University of Oregon, and Willamette University.

After extremely close-fought competitions, Eliana Bly of Lewis & Clark College came in first of the lower division, and Lucas Carmichael-Tanaka of Reed College conquered the higher division, winning the free trip and stay in Toyama, Japan.

“Each year, the participants and speeches get stronger, and LC’s students certainly showed that this year, with big wins,” Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Bruce Suttmeier said. “Eliana and Charlotte took first and second in the first level, showing poise and skill in delivering their speeches. The winner of the upper level was Lucas Carmichael-Tanaka, a Reed undergraduate who takes Japanese at Lewis & Clark (because Reed doesn’t teach Japanese)​​—so we’re claiming him as an LC win!”

Cup contestants choose their own speech topics, which range from public education to the customs and history of tea, displaying not only their passion for the Japanese language, but also their interests and how these are reflected in Japan.

The Toyama Cup showcases the excellence of Japanese language programs all over Oregon, providing high school students in our community many local options if they choose to pursue their love of the Japanese language in higher education institutions. The Japan-America Society of Oregon will continue to work to support this community of students, teachers, and programs; and equally, the sister-state relationship with Toyama that brings greater richness and opportunity to all. For more details about JASO, visit their website at www.jaso.org.

Lucas Carmichael-TanakaFull Results:

Level 1

First Place: Eliana Bly of Lewis & Clark College

Second Place: Charlotte Jaguzny of Lewis & Clark College

Third Place: Ciel Morrill of Willamette University

Level 2

First Place: Lucas Carmichael-Tanaka of Reed College

Second Place: Emily Zuber of Willamette University

Third Place: Eric Lane of University of Oregon