This event has passed. However, the following provides highlights and event information.

J. LIVE Talk 2017

Name: J. LIVE Talk 2017
Start: 2017-11-05T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2017-11-05T23:59:59-05:00

November 5, 2017

College-level Japanese learners from across the United States competed to win scholarships, cash prizes and trips to Japan at the third annual J. LIVE Talk 2017, held on Sunday, November 5th at The George Washington University. J. LIVE (Japanese Learning Inspired Vision and Engagement) Talk 2017 contestants delivered presentations in Japanese to an audience of more than 130, using audio-visual materials, audience interactions, and other innovations to enhance their messages.

Sasakawa USA is proud to help support J. LIVE Talk, which encourages Japanese language students to master their Japanese communication skills. Launched in 2015 by The Japanese Program at GWU, the competition provides a platform for graduate and undergraduate students to showcase their proficiency in Japanese, polish their public speaking skills, share ideas from their personal perspectives, and connect with the larger Japanese-affiliated community.

This year, more than 30 students from 13 universities in eight states, including California, Wisconsin and Ohio, submitted video entries to the judging committee. The nine finalists were selected after preliminary and semi-final rounds by two separate judging panels. Final prizes included cash awards, airfare to Japan, and scholarships for intensive Japanese language courses in Japan.

At a networking breakfast prior to the competition, Joy Champaloux, Associate Program Officer for Sasakawa USA and President of the JET Alumni Association of Washington, D.C., presented an overview of Sasakawa USA activities and the JET Program to the J. LIVE Talk audience. Additional speakers included representatives of Kizuna Across Cultures, Waseda University, and the Washington Japanese Heritage Center.

Sasakawa USA also hosted five of the 2017 J. LIVE talk semi-finalists for a lunch on Friday, October 13. The students, representing Georgetown University, George Washington University, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County, had the opportunity to discuss U.S.-Japan relations with Sasakawa USA staff. Sasakawa USA CEO Ambassador James Zumwalt highlighted the economic and cultural benefits of the U.S.-Japan alliance and encouraged the students to study and work abroad.

Read recaps of the 2016 J. Live Talk and the 2015 J. Live Talk.