Everyone Is Different, Everyone Is Wonderful

　　Every day, do you think about where you are from? I'm Korean. I always think about that.

　　When I was a child, I used my father's surname, "Jung," instead of my current surname, Taniguchi. One day, at my daycare center, I was asked by a classmate, "Yuri-chan, where are you from?" Of course, I answered, "I am Korean." "I hate Koreans," she said and she ran away to tell all her friends about it. Fortunately, my friends consoled me by saying, "It doesn't matter where you are from." Even though I was very young, I felt I was different from everyone else. When I talked about this at home, I was told the sad story that my parents and grandparents were discriminated against because they were Korean, and that they always had to hide this fact.

　　When I was older I read an article in a Korean newspaper. The article said that Korean schools in Japan would not be recognized as regular schools for compulsory education or higher education. I wondered why Korea was not accepted in Japan and why I had to live my life hiding my Korean identity. From then on, I began to think a lot about who I was. What makes me different from everyone else? Is it my culture? Is it my experience? Maybe it's the way we think. I didn't really understand any of it. But, despite this, I decided I would never judge, exclude, or bully anyone by the way they looked. I knew well from my own experience that treating someone as different could hurt them a lot.

　　When I was in elementary school, I often fought with a friend in the same class. One day, we were arguing about something small. In my own anger, I said, "The reason you are so aggressive is because you have a disability just like your brother!" Everyone heard me say it. Smack! From nowhere, she punched me in the face. I was shocked! Not at the punch but at the fact that I'd done something that I'd promised to myself I would never do. I had hurt her by discriminating against her and her brother. I regretted saying it so much and wondered why I'd said something so terrible. I realized then that I should never discriminate about things I cannot see about people, like their personalities and situations, not just the things I can see about them. We make assumptions about people based on the differences we can see and hear like their skin color, looks, and gender, but we also discriminate on things we cannot see, like people's cultures, values, and personalities. I realized that I had said this terrible thing to my friend because I did not have enough knowledge to understand her and her brother's situation well enough. I think it is important to know each other better to stop discrimination.

　　After that fight, I had many discussions with my friend and I learned that she hit me not to protect herself, but to protect her brother. Just as my family and I value our pride in being Korean, she has things that are important to her as well. When I thought about this, a certain phrase suddenly crossed my mind. "Everyone is different, everyone is wonderful." What makes us different is our individuality. I want to accept myself and I want others to accept me as I am. Also, I want to acknowledge the people around me for who they are. I decided that I will never discriminate again. There is no need to hide who you are. I believe that everyone deserves to be loved, respected and accepted. Together we can create a society where everyone can live their life as they are and be celebrated.

(1st Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

Manga: Japonisme 2.0

　　Hello. Today I'd like to talk about what inspires me the most. It's manga. Yes. Japanese comic books. I love manga so much I ended up joining a volleyball team after reading the volleyball manga, Haikyu!! As I had no interest in any kind of sports, it literally changed my way of life. I don't know if it's appropriate to talk about manga in such an honorable speech contest, because I know many teachers and parents don't see it as being good for children. But it is now gaining huge admiration overseas. Even the renowned Louvre Museum has been eagerly celebrating manga for almost a decade. Unfortunately, Japanese people don't acknowledge manga as an art form, maybe because it is so ubiquitous in our daily lives. So let me try to tell you what it really is, and why people all over the world see it as the hottest and coolest part of Japanese culture.

　　In the late 19th century, Japanese culture was introduced to Europe for the first time, and many artists instantly fell in love with it. It was called Japonisme. My favorite 19th-century illustrator Alphonse Mucha was also heavily inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e. Both Mucha and ukiyo-e had a similarly flat, two-dimensional style with avant garde compositions which were mass produced and sold to the general public. Indeed, Mucha and ukiyo-e were the pioneers of "popular art." Then, ukiyo-e continued to evolve and morphed into another popular art which represents modern Japanese culture. Yes, it is manga.

　　Manga isn't just simple illustration anymore. It can form a long, complex story with its dynamic composition called koma-wari. Then there is manpu, the mysterious secret codes that express the feelings of characters. Just a single drop of sweat streaking down a character's face can express anxiety and tension or confusion and astonishment. Yet the creators and readers magically share the exact same meaning, as if it were its own language.

　　But what makes manga even more special is its flexibility in drawing style. One of my favorite manga, Peleliu, was particularly unique. It is about the famous and bloody Pacific battle in WW2. Despite its tragic story, the author drew all the characters like cute puppets talking and running in the war zones. At first, it didn't look right. It even seemed to lack respect for those involved in the horrible combat. But then I realized that the author illuminated the internal conflict of the characters by avoiding visual harshness. It succeeded in evoking my empathy and compassion without scaring me. It was a truly magical reading experience only manga can offer.

　　During the COVID-19 lockdown, manga's popularity spread to every corner of the world. In 2020 alone, United States manga sales surged by 170%. Just as 19th-century Parisians loved ukiyo-e, French people today are so obsessed with manga that France is now the second-largest manga market.

　　Unlike classical art, which was patronized by the nobility, popular art emerges in a civil society. It's not about sophisticated fanciness. It's about freedom. Just as Europe saw freedom in ukiyo-e in the 19th century, what the world is seeing now in manga is the freedom of our culture, the freedom of our society and the freedom the world lost and craved during the COVID-19 lockdown. This is the 21st century Japonisme, or as I dub it "Japonisme 2.0." If we don't acknowledge it, it's a shame. Manga serves as the perfect gateway to Japan's rich history and culture. So everybody, be an evangelist for manga.

(2nd Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

Stepping into Someone Else's Shoes

　　Have you ever had a disagreement, or fought with your friends or family? We've all encountered this sort of situation, right? In resolving arguments, standing in someone else's shoes is very important. Today, let me introduce to you how one of my hobbies helps me stand in many people's shoes.

　　Since I was a 1st grader in middle school, I have been doing something called debates. There is a common misconception that debates are just about "refuting", and dismantling your opponent's arguments. However, this is completely untrue. While countering arguments is part of the process, the ultimate aim is to sway judges through well-crafted and compelling arguments. Debate is a very deep competition, a blend of not only knowledge, but also logical thinking, and a sprinkle of imagination. Although there are many "Styles" to debates, the fundamentals are the same. A topic is released, and you are assigned to either the supporting or opposing team. The catch here is that you don't get the option of picking a side. After everything is released, you have some time to prepare, and then you have to present your argument, as logically and compellingly as possible.

　　Although, as you can imagine, you can gain a lot of abilities through debating, I would like to spotlight one skill in particular: "multilateral thinking". This skill is about embracing multiple perspectives, and understanding the thoughts and feelings of others. Since you don't get to pick sides in debates, you sometimes have to come up with reasons to support something you actually oppose. Through practicing, I was able to hone my skill of multilateral thinking, and it is now invaluable in my daily life; especially when it comes to resolving disputes.

　　Let me give you an example, based on my true experience at a school club meeting. I am in the wind orchestra at school, and the meeting was held to discuss the direction we want to take the club before an upcoming competition. The club members were divided. On one hand, many club members prioritized success and good ratings in the competition, and were willing to endure going through rigorous practice. On the other hand, some members would rather enjoy the process of practicing itself. Although my idea was that we should rather put performing well in front of enjoying the practice, I did understand where the opposing people were coming from. Faced with this impasse, where both sides weren't willing to budge, I decided to step in. Thanks to my debating experience, I was able to think and speak impartially, almost as if I were an outsider listening in to the heated discussion. I was able to analyze and distill the "arguments'' coming from both sides. The pivotal point I want to note here is that I was able to speak objectively, as, if not, it'll just lead to the further escalation of an already existing rift. Through this, I was able to help my members understand each other, which led to acceptance and thus, a resolution: a way that works for all of us. A way we could enjoy practice, while also executing it correctly.

　　Through debates, I was trained to think of one topic from different aspects and angles, which really helped the meeting move forward in a better direction. I believe that the true resolution of arguments --a resolution that is satisfactory to all parties involved-- requires some compromises. However, for people to be willing to compromise, they have to accept and understand where the conflicting viewpoints are being expressed. We could clearly see this in the example I shared, a quintessential human trait. My multilateral thinking, nurtured through debates, plays an indispensable role in both understanding and fostering understanding, directly helping to achieve a true settlement of a disagreement.

　　In conclusion, debating has enriched my ability to understand viewpoints and contribute to resolving disputes. By nurturing this skill, we can cultivate understanding and pave the way for compromise, harmony, and peace. So the next time you get stuck in a fierce argument, why not step back, and try stepping in someone else's shoes?

(3rd Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

A Passport to an Unknown World

　　What does English mean to you? For junior high school students, English is a subject we study in class. But what are we studying it for? The reason is different for every person. Recently advances in AI have made automatic translation and interpretation possible. With AI, is it necessary for us to learn English? From my personal experience, I realized that learning English is important and has great value and meaning.

　　When I was in the first grade of elementary school, my homeroom teacher used integrated study classes to teach English. The teacher thought students should hear English at an early age because it is easier for young people to imitate words. In that class, I watched an English musical movie called "The Sound of Music". I enjoyed the movie so much and wanted to watch it again, so I rented the DVD video. I asked my mother to rent it again and again. I watched the musical many times and remembered all the songs in the movie. I could sing them even though I couldn't understand the words and phrases. One day, I had a chance to sing in front of the entire school. I chose to sing the song called "My Favorite Things".

　　"Raindrops on roses And whiskers on kittens"

　　When I listen to and sing English songs, I feel like I connect to them differently than when I listen to Japanese songs. Musicals in English have been "my favorite thing". After that, I started taking English musical classes. The classes inspired me to act and sing on stage. So I told my mother my dream and she recommended that I try auditioning for musicals. I ended up auditioning for the Lion King and got the role of Young Nala. I played the role of Young Nala for two years. This experience opened my eyes to a larger world and now my future goal is to help create new Japanese musicals and show them to people all over the world.

　　Not only has English influenced my interests, it has also influenced my personality. I am usually pretty shy and cautious. It is challenging for me to actively raise my hand in class or express my opinion among my friends. Somehow when I speak in English, I feel more comfortable to speak in front of people. It seems that English has a magical power that changes my personality. It gives me confidence. Some of my friends even asked, "why are you so positive and active when you speak in English?" The reason why English can help me express my opinions clearly is because the language has words to help me directly say what I am thinking and feeling.

　　Recently I read an online article that talked about how speaking a new language can influence someone's personality. Every country's culture and history are reflected in its language. So, when we learn a language, we also learn a country's culture and history. If we use AI translation, we will lose the opportunities to understand ourselves and other people and cultures at a deeper level.

　　Thanks to English, I discovered the world of English musicals and discovered a more confident side of myself. English helped me access an unknown world. I don't have an actual passport yet. But for now, English is my passport. I am excited about using this passport to discover the unknown world more and connect with people different from myself. Through the experience, I can grow more as a person and find moments that will move my heart. I believe this is the meaning and value of learning English.

(4th Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

I Am Greatly Appreciative of the Time You Have Taken to Consider the Words I Have Experienced at This Venue Today

　　"The temperature has risen. Would you ventilate the space we are occupying?" "The heat is getting to me. Please replace the air in the room." "It's hot. Open the window, please."

　　These sentences all mean the same thing, but at what point did you understand? There are many ways to convey the same idea in English. In school, we learn more and more complex grammar and vocabulary and I used to think that mastering these was the sole path to being "good at English" ...until I met Katya．

　　Katya is a French girl whom I met during a homestay program in the UK. On the first night, I went to her room to greet her. I said, "I would like to get along with you." It was supposed to be perfect textbook English, but she didn't get it. It felt like the fancy idioms and grammar were making things overly complicated. So instead, I just said "Friends, friends!" gesturing towards each other. Soon she responded with a smile. "Yeah! OK!" Since then, I tried my best to communicate using simple words and sentences. But, speaking simply was not always as simple as it sounds.

　　Later, back in Japan, I was greatly helped by this experience. In April, as the student council president, I had to explain a change in election rules during the general assembly. In my school, where students from grade one to grade nine attend, fifth graders and above have the right to vote in student elections. The new rules were written in complicated Japanese. When I first explained the change, no one responded. But looking at the 5th graders, I was pretty sure they didn't get it. So, I asked, "Does everyone understand? Is it really okay to proceed with the vote?" Finally, one of the elementary students confessed that he didn't understand, and others soon joined. I started re-explaining using simpler language. The experience with Katya taught me the importance of flexibility and sincerity in mutual understanding. So I encouraged them to ask me any questions. It took forever, but that helped me to realize what they didn't understand. The elementary students and I never gave up trying to understand each other and that is what true communication is. We can't communicate if we don't stop to consider the person we are speaking with. That goes for any language, my native Japanese and of course, English as well.

　　These experiences taught me that even if you have a lot of knowledge and vocabulary, you must always consider what the other person actually understands. No matter whom I'm talking to - even if they know fewer words or are younger - I want to speak sincerely. After all, in the real world, what's more important, complicated grammatical perfection or purposeful communication?

　　My parents are linguists, and we have traveled to various countries in Europe. They often used English to communicate. What's interesting is that they weren't always speaking English with native English speakers. Europe has over 200 languages. There, I could enjoy many types of "Englishes" influenced by various languages and cultural backgrounds just like our Japanese-English is. I thought they all sounded unique thus beautiful. What's more beautiful is how everyone was working just as hard to listen as they were to speak even with simple words and heavy accents. If seeking perfection stops us from having purposeful and considerate interactions, maybe it's time we consider not being perfect.

　　I am greatly appreciative of the time you have taken to consider the words I have expressed at this venue today. I mean "Thank you for listening."

(5th Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

(The World Family Award of the 75th Contest, 2023)

AI, with You and I

　　Do you know about generative AI? Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that makes text, images, and links. I will discuss two well-known AI platforms. The first one is ChatGPT, which normally makes text, and the second one is Midjourney, which makes images. Development of these platforms began in the early 2000s, so it has a rich history. These AI platforms are connected to an incredible amount of data and make something new using it. For example, text generative AI can answer your questions with text. And image generative AI can make images from the text that you typed. For a more specific example, if you type in "dog, outer space, astronaut suit", the AI will make a brand new image of a dog in outer space with an astronaut suit. These days, the number of users of text and image generative AI has increased a lot. I am also a user of the famous chatbot, ChatGPT. When I was asking ChatGPT about the film Star Wars, a problem occurred. I asked, "Who said "I want every gun we have to fire on that man" in Star Wars?". I actually knew the answer to this question because I was a Star Wars fan. So, I thought the answer I imagined would come back. But, it was wrong. The AI said this quote was spoken by General Hux, who is a completely different person, not the person who said it. The answer should have been that this was spoken by Kylo Ren. People who don't know much about Star Wars may be confused by what I'm saying. However, ChatGPT gave me the wrong answer. And if I wasn't a Star Wars fan, maybe I would have believed this answer. This is a big problem! After this, I refused to trust the answers from this AI. I also learned that there is no guarantee that all answers are correct. And there are more problems when you use these in school. Students can generate essays or cheat at homework. And sometimes it can be used for serious crimes such as fake news and cause big problems. For example, if somebody makes a fake image of the White House being attacked and posts it on the internet, the world will panic if they don't know the truth. So, it will be very important to do fact-checking if you get information from the internet. I guess some problems could increase in the future. This is why we need to use AI properly. But I am not saying that everything is bad. Because generative AI is very useful. As I said earlier, text generative AI can save your time researching information from the internet, so it can be used as part of learning. Some schools are already using ChatGPT in classes. And also image generative AI can make beautiful artwork by just typing in the keywords. And it is also fun to play around with. The thing I wanted to say is that AI wasn't made to annoy people, it was made to help people.

　　The improvement of AI has just started. And we have just started to think about how to use it properly. But in the near future, I can admit that AI will improve more and more, and be a big part of our lives and help us. And I thought that AI is similar to kitchen knives. I am not talking about how they look. I am talking about how they work.

　　So, kitchen knives can be very useful if you use them properly. But if you don't use them in the right way, they can hurt people. It's the same as artificial intelligence. It can be very useful if you use it right, but very harmful if you don't. It is time to learn how to use generative artificial intelligence properly and how to face the age of artificial intelligence in our future.

(6th Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

Living with Depression

　　Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I want to share a story that captures a struggle faced by many yet often discussed by few. It's the story of a young Japanese girl of about 15 years as she battled with depression on her journey to rebuilding her identity and self-confidence.

　　Like many teenagers, this girl faced a cacophony of pressures--academic performance, social expectations, and the ever-present chaos of adolescence. This seemingly endless noise became so overwhelming that it triggered a severe depression. This girl felt isolated, her self-esteem plummeted, and she saw no light at the end of the tunnel. For her, life became a series of monotonous, gloomy days, each one indistinguishable from the last.

　　Depression, a clinical condition, has been this girl's silent companion through a maze of challenges. Contrary to popular belief, depression is not merely a state of mind; it is a medical illness with both psychological and physical implications. It skews your feelings, alters your thought process, and even impacts your actions. The stereotype that depression is "just in your head" undermines its seriousness and makes it even harder for those living with it to be open about their struggles.

　　Despite this, the girl took a brave step. Still too afraid to talk to her friends, she joined an online support forum dedicated to mental health. The platform made it so easy. She didn't need to show her face; people were willing to share stories like her own, and a professional counselor guided everything, keeping people safe and supported.

　　Gradually, through in-person talks and online chats, the girl began to see that she was not alone in her suffering. She discovered that many people, some even in her own circle, had faced or were facing similar challenges. Each conversation became a thread in a safety net woven through shared struggles and advice. One of her close friends, we'll call her Hana, introduced her to mindfulness techniques. They practiced breathing exercises and meditation, sitting in parks on weekends, taking a step back from the chaos of life to breathe and just "be." She started learning to identify her negative thought patterns and started challenging them, helping her to break out of damaging cycles.

　　However, it wasn't just about receiving support; the girl found strength in offering help, too. She started sharing her own experiences and coping methods in the forums she visited. This act of helping others provided a renewed sense of purpose and started to lift the fog of her depression.

　　There was a turning point. During a heart-to-heart conversation with Hana, the girl broke down and expressed how she felt worthless. Hana looked her straight in the eye and said, "You may not see it now, but you are stronger than your struggles. They are a part of you, but they are not all of you." This simple affirmation struck a chord. It was a moment of clarity, of understanding that her depression didn't define her value.

　　The girl's journey is far from over, but I have reclaimed my narrative. Although I still have bad days, they are outweighed by the good ones. My friends, both in the real world and online, helped me understand my situation better. These relationships have become my pillars, helping me transform from a girl shackled by my mental state to one who sees the light at the end of the tunnel, growing brighter and brighter as I continue my fight.

　　To anyone facing a similar struggle, know that help is out there--you just have to reach for it.

　　Conversations can change lives; sometimes, they can even save them. Thank you for listening.

(7th Prize of the 75th Contest, 2023)

土岐田健太（ときた・けんた）　東進ハイスクール・東進衛星予備校英語科講師。「将来どこでも通用する英語」をモットーに、中高生から大学生、社会人対象の講座でも絶大な支持を受けている。英検１級・TOEIC990点満点取得。著書は『土岐田のここからつなげる英文法ドリル』や『英作文トレーニングドリルTransform』（Gakken）など多数。

【主催】読売新聞社、日本学生協会基金

【後援】外務省、文部科学省、都道府県教育委員会ほか

【特別協賛】東進ハイスクール・東進衛星予備校

【協賛】日本テレビ放送網、ぺんてる、ワールド・ファミリーほか