Speeches
Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Education, at the Japanese Speech Contest 2009 on Sunday, 5 July 2009, at 1.30pm at the Japanese Association, Singapore
Your Excellency, Mr. Makoto Yamanaka, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore,
Mr. Lai Ah Keow, President, the Japanese Cultural Society, Singapore,
Mr. Makoto Yoshimura, President, the Japanese Association, Singapore,
Mr. Yoshiyuki Nogi, President, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore,
Mr. Richard Chua, President, Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore, Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
1Konnichiwa. It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon at the Japanese Speech Contest 2009.
2This Japanese Speech Contest has a relatively long history in Singapore. I understand that it was first initiated by the Japanese Cultural Society in 1968. Later, in 1996, it was combined with the Students’ Eloquence Contest organized by the Japanese Association to become what it is today. This is the 14th Japanese Speech Contest and it has seen participation from many keen learners of the Japanese language. The contest has also grown over the years, expanding into four categories - the secondary, junior college, tertiary and open categories.
3Bilingualism is a key tenet of Singapore’s education system. By learning English and the Mother Tongue Language, our students acquire language skills that are essential in a global economy even as they imbibe and develop a keen sense of their cultural identity. Proficiency in English and the Mother Tongue Languages has also given Singapore a certain competitive edge in the context of a knowledge-based and technology-driven world economy.
4In addition, we have also invested significant efforts to inculcate a global mindset in our young. One such effort has been to provide opportunities for the learning of foreign languages, like French, Japanese and German. Recently, we introduced two more foreign languages - Bahasa Indonesia and Arabic - in our schools. Singaporeans who are conversant in a foreign language can serve as an important bridge to other countries. Students of a foreign language will be prepared with the skills and cultural knowledge to meaningfully engage our friends in the region and beyond.
5Practice is fundamental to the learning of a language—as they say, you either “Use it or Lose it”. I am certain that your teachers, in their desire to see you attain the highest level of proficiency, are always trying to find innovative and interesting ways to motivate you to learn the language. Introducing students to popular Japanese culture such as ‘anime’ and ‘manga’ is one way to make the learning of the language enjoyable and meaningful. I understand that Singaporean students are just as great fans of ‘anime’ and ‘manga’ as their Japanese counterparts.
6This contest is another meaningful and effective platform for Japanese language learners to demonstrate their proficiency and abilities, to introduce their own culture, and even to share their experiences in Japan. Such speech contests will spur learners to hone their language skills and lead them to a greater understanding of the Japanese people and their culture. And this will also help enhance Singapore-Japan relations. I, therefore, encourage all Japanese language learners to continue to avail themselves of this and other opportunities to use the language and attain even higher levels of proficiency.
7I applaud the concerted efforts of all the organizers in providing Japanese language learners in Singapore with the opportunity to practise and showcase their public speaking skills. I congratulate all the finalists and winners and hope that your achievements will inspire the other learners to also work towards participating in future speech contests.
8Indeed, I understand that in 2006 and 2007, two Singaporeans managed to clinch the top award in the international contest held in Tokyo. I hope that their accomplishment, and your passion for the language, will spur you to strive for greater heights and to aspire to win the top award again. I wish you all the best.
9Doumo arigatougozaimashita.
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/speeches...ntest-2009.php 
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