The Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU), organized the 1st Japanese Language Presentation Competition for the North Sumatra and Aceh Regions in 2022 on Monday, November 28, 2022. The activity, held at the T. Amin Ridwan Building, FIB USU, carried the theme “Indonesian Education in the Future” and served as a new format for Japanese language competitions that had previously been held in the form of Japanese Language Speech Competitions for Japanese language learners in the North Sumatra and Aceh regions.

Through the Japanese Language Presentation Competition concept, participants not only competed in Japanese language skills but also had the opportunity to convey their ideas regarding Indonesian education in the future. The activity was attended by Japanese language learners from universities, language courses, and the general public in the North Sumatra and Aceh regions.

A total of seven participants took part in the 1st Japanese Language Presentation Competition. The participants came from Universitas Sumatera Utara, Universitas Harapan, and Japan Edukasi Akademi. During the competition, participants delivered presentations in Japanese according to the predetermined theme.

The activity was judged by three judges with connections to Japanese institutions and communities, namely Ms. ONO Eriko from the Medan Japan Club, Mr. ASANO Shunya from the Consulate General of Japan in Medan, and Mr. TAKUMA Yasugahira from Nihongo Partners. The winners were determined based on the highest scores in accordance with the guidelines for the 1st National Japanese Language Presentation Competition 2022 for Students and the General Public, which were received by the committee from The Japan Foundation Jakarta.

Based on the judges' assessment, Famigus Ari Frinaldi from Universitas Sumatera Utara won first place with a score of 131 through a presentation entitled “学外での学習経験の重要性”. Second place was won by Mitchelllyn from Universitas Harapan with a score of 129, while Felicia Zanlim from Universitas Sumatera Utara won third place with a score of 124.

The following rankings were occupied by Audiah Amelia from Universitas Sumatera Utara with a score of 117, Ayumi Warneliza from Universitas Harapan with a score of 110, and Tiara Dinda Srikandi from Japan Edukasi Akademi with a score of 94. Meanwhile, Khairunnisa Nur Hasanah from Universitas Harapan was recorded as a participant who did not attend the competition.

As the first-place winner, Famigus Ari Frinaldi was recommended to participate in the 1st National Japanese Language Presentation Competition 2022 as the representative of the North Sumatra and Aceh regions. Participation in the competition provided the winner with an opportunity to continue the competition at the national level while developing Japanese language skills and the ability to convey ideas in public.

The 1st Japanese Language Presentation Competition for the North Sumatra and Aceh Regions in 2022 was organized through collaboration among The Japan Foundation Jakarta, the Consulate General of Japan in Medan, the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature, and the Japanese Language Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara. This collaboration also supported the implementation of learning activities and the development of Japanese language competencies for participants in the North Sumatra and Aceh regions.

The activity also received attention from the public, with approximately 100 visitors. The presence of participants, judges, committee members, and visitors contributed to creating a competitive atmosphere that supported the implementation of the competition. Documentation of the activity also showed the involvement of the Consul General of Japan in Medan, the judges, committee members, and participants throughout the series of activities.

The organization of the 1st Japanese Language Presentation Competition for the North Sumatra and Aceh Regions in 2022 was one form of developing Japanese language learning activities at the regional level. The use of a presentation format provided learners with space to develop their Japanese language skills while conveying their thoughts on issues related to education.

Through this activity, the Undergraduate Program in Japanese Literature of FIB USU provided Japanese language learners with an opportunity to hone their communication skills, increase their learning motivation, and gain competition experience in the field of Japanese studies. The support of various institutions and Japanese partners also played an important role in the sustainability of Japanese language and culture development activities in North Sumatra and Aceh.