#Japan #Tokyo #Bunkyo Gakuin #Mai Itagaki #Korean Speech

A Remarkable Achievement in Korean Language

In a proud moment for Bunkyo Gakuin University, fourth-year student Mai Itagaki secured the Encouragement Award at the Korean Speech Contest held on December 6, 2025, in Tokyo. This event, titled "Let’s Speak Korean,” saw participants from various educational backgrounds competing in a showcase of Korean language skills, organized by the Korean Embassy in Japan and Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages, alongside Sejong Institutes.

The Korean Speech Contest is a prestigious annual event that has grown since its inception in 2003, now spanning seven cities across Japan. The contest features students and general participants, all aiming to demonstrate their proficiency in Korean through a formal speech and a skit performance. In recent years, the competition has attracted a diverse range of speakers, from high school students to adults, reflecting a growing interest in Korean language and culture.

Mai Itagaki's achievement is especially noteworthy. In her previous participation in 2021, she had already marked her talent by winning the Excellence Award in the skit category, making her current accolade her second win at the contest. This year, she presented a five-minute speech focused on the theme of “My Best Self.”

A Test of Proficiency

The competition's structure includes both a speech and a skit section, with contenders evaluated on their pronunciation, expression, and content organization. The speech segment, where participants must perform solo, is particularly esteemed, requiring a high level of language proficiency and public speaking skills. Mai's performance stood out among her peers, highlighting her ability to convey complex ideas eloquently in Korean.

Mai Itagaki's Journey

Mai's journey in learning Korean has been impressive, having only studied the language for a year when she garnered the Excellence Award in the skit category in 2021. A year-long study abroad program at Gwang-woong University in South Korea in 2022 further honed her skills. By 2023, she achieved the highest level (level 6) in the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), demonstrating her dedication and capability in mastering the language at an advanced level. Her recent speech was evaluated not only on pronunciation and expression but also on content and structure, where she received high scores.

Response and Future Aspirations

In her award acceptance comments, Mai expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout her university journey. "I am very happy that so many people listened to my speech, which I approached with a special sentiment as a culmination of my university life. I believe that the cooperation and support of my Korean friends and others helped refine my speech, ‘My Best Self,’ into a meaningful presentation. Winning the Encouragement Award makes this experience even more valuable for me."

Looking ahead, Mai hopes to continue studying not only the Korean language but also various fields, aspiring to become a bridge between Japan and Korea. Bunkyo Gakuin University remains committed to providing students with ample opportunities for language practice and international exchange, aiming to nurture individuals who can thrive on the global stage.