The Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU), held the 2nd North Sumatra and Aceh Japanese Language Presentation Competition 2023 under the theme “Technology and Us” on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at the T. Amin Ridwan Building, FIB USU. The event was intended for Japanese language learners from higher education institutions, language courses, and the general public in North Sumatra and Aceh, providing a platform to develop their Japanese language skills while expressing their ideas through presentations.

The North Sumatra and Aceh Japanese Language Presentation Competition was developed from the Japanese Language Speech Competition previously organized by the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU. The 2023 event marked the second edition held in the presentation format. Through the theme “Technology and Us,” participants were given the opportunity to present their ideas on technological developments and their impact on life in Japanese.

The competition was attended by six participants, consisting of five participants from Universitas Sumatera Utara and one participant from Habatake School. Each participant presented their ideas based on the predetermined theme before the judging panel.

The event was supported through a collaboration among The Japan Foundation Jakarta, the Consulate-General of Japan in Medan, the Japanese Literature Study Program, and the Japanese Language Study Program, FIB USU. The competition was assessed by three judges: Mr. ASANO Shunya from the Consulate-General of Japan in Medan as Chair of the Judging Panel; Ms. ONO Eriko from Medan Japan Club; and Ms. SHIGEMURA Miyoko from The Japan Foundation Jakarta. The assessment focused on the participants’ ability to convey ideas and deliver presentations in Japanese.

In the competition results, Syahban Danas from Universitas Sumatera Utara won first place with a presentation entitled “テクノロジーの発展による社会の変化.” Second place was awarded to Fauzi Hensabua Surya from Universitas Sumatera Utara with a presentation entitled “テクノロジーと私たち、どんなふうに発展していく？” while third place went to Felicia Zanlim from Universitas Sumatera Utara with a presentation entitled “ネット犯.” Meanwhile, Zein Adian Laban Sihombing from Habatake School placed next with the presentation “一握りのテクノロジー,” followed by Jeremiah Pangihutan Situmorang from Universitas Sumatera Utara with “AI と私,” and Betania Syaloomita Nissi H from Universitas Sumatera Utara with “子供と携帯電話.”

As the first-place winner, Syahban Danas was allowed to represent North Sumatra and Aceh at the national-level Japanese language competition in Jakarta in November 2023.

The organization of the 2nd North Sumatra and Aceh Japanese Language Presentation Competition 2023 demonstrates the commitment of the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature, FIB USU, to providing opportunities for Japanese language learners to develop their communication and presentation skills in Japanese. The event also formed part of the program’s efforts to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders in supporting Japanese language and cultural learning in North Sumatra and Aceh.