The ANU, in association with the Japan Foundation, will once again host the annual ACT Japanese Language Speech Contest.

The ANU, in association with the Japan Foundation, will once again host the annual ACT Japanese Language Speech Contest. Now in its 53rd year, this contest aims to encourage Senior Secondary & Tertiary Japanese language learners to showcase their language skills in a challenging context.

The contest will be held on 19 August (Saturday) from 10:00am (specific division times will be finalised after registrations close).

The contest this year will be held virtually via Zoom, as it was last year. Both contestants and guests will receive a protected Zoom link upon registering via Eventbrite.

Participants must register here by 11:59 pm 12 August. Participants will need to provide the Japanese and English titles for their speeches at the time of registration.

High School Senior Division: 2.5–3 minutes

Open Division: 4.5–5 minutes

The subject, content and form of the speeches are left open to each contestant. Entrants who have competed in previous contests may not use the same speech (this includes title and content) presented in previous years.

See here for contest guidelines.

First prize winners in both divisions will progress to the National Finals in October via video entries. Exact dates will be shared at a later stage, with the winner being announced on 13 October.

For more information, visit the Japan Foundation website.

Call for Applications - Japan Studies Postgraduate Workshop

Application deadline:  Friday 26 January 2024
Workshop date: Thursday 15 February 2024
Workshop venue: The Australian National University, Canberra

The ANU Japan Institute invites applications for a Japan Studies postgraduate workshop. The workshop is aimed at Australia-based students undertaking Japan-related theses (Masters or Doctoral level). It will provide an opportunity for such students to present their work-in-progress and receive feedback from peers and faculty, and also to hear from graduates about career pathways in and beyond Japan Studies. The number of participants  in the workshop will be capped at approximately seven.  

The cost of domestic flights, airport transfers, two-nights’ accommodation (for participants residing outside of Canberra) and dinner will be covered by the ANU Japan Institute with support from the Australia-Japan Foundation at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  

  • Application deadline: Friday January 26th, 2024 
  • Eligibility: Domestic and international students enrolled in Australian universities undertaking Japan-related theses (all disciplines) at Masters and Doctoral levels


If you meet this criteria and wish to apply to participate in the workshop, please send an abstract of your thesis (300-400 words) and a two-page CV to our administrative assistant Sakura Tatewaki: Sakura.Tatewaki@anu.edu.au 

For enquiries contact Dr Lauren Richardson:  
lauren.richardson@anu.edu.au