Princess Takamado Essay Contest Past Results

2015 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Congratulations to 2015 winners of the Princess Takamado English Essay Contest.

The essay theme was:
"What would be your ideal internship in Canada? What would you want to learn from it, and how would the experience help you to contribute to Japan's role in the global community in the 21st Century?"

Mr. Masaru Yamamoto from Kanda University of International Studies has won the first place prize with the essay "An Internship in School in Canada: The Window to the Further Advancement of Japan".
Ms. Sae Takebe from Kyoto University has won the second place prize with her essay "Triangular Relationship between Canada, Japan and Cambodia".

A special thanks to all of this year's Judging Committee:
Dr. Martin Guardado, Associate Professor/Academic Director, English Language School, University of Alberta
Mr. Gordon Holden, Director, China Institute, University of Alberta
Dr. Yuko Itatsu, Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Mr. Cael Husband, Second Secretary (Public Affairs), Embassy of Canada, Tokyo, Japan

2014 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Congratulations to 2014 winners of the Princess Takamado English Essay Contest.

The essay theme was:
"Discuss the role of English as a global language in the local and global communities. When possible, link your discussion to Canada, or Japan-Canada relations."

Ms. Maiko Serizawa from Waseda University has won the first place prize with the essay "English as a Cultural Asset". She will attend the University of Alberta's English Language School later this year.
Ms. Sae Takebe from Kyoto University has won the second place prize with her essay "Collaboration between Canada and Japan strengthened by English".
Ms. Kana Aridome from the International University of Kagoshima was the recipient of our third place prize with her essay "Becoming a Global Citizen by Learning about Citizenship in Canada".

A special thanks to all of this year's Judging Committee:
Dr. Martin Guardado, Associate Professor/Academic Director, English Language School, University of Alberta
Mr. Gordon Holden, Director, China Institute, University of Alberta
Dr. Yuko Itatsu, Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Mr. Cael Husband, Second Secretary (Public Affairs), Embassy of Canada, Tokyo, Japan

2013 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Congratulations to 2013 winner of the Princess Takamado English Essay Contest.

The essay theme was "Discuss Canada's Position on the International Stage".

Mr. Daiki Sugiyama from the University of Tokyo has won the first place prize with the essay "Canada's independent and impartial position".

A special thanks to all of this year's Judging Committee:
Dr. Martin Guardado, Associate Professor/Academic Director, English Language School, University of Alberta
Mr. Gordon Holden, Director, China Institute, University of Alberta

"I was impressed that the author took the time to reflect broadly on Canada,
and in particular its history and foreign policies. He also has made an effort
to draw conclusions from his visit to this country. ...

I would encourage Mr. Sugiyama to continue his exploration of foreign cultures
and foreign countries, and I believe that his ongoing exposure to the national life
of Canada and other states can help him serve his own country well."

Dr. Yuko Itatsu, Associate Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo
Mr. Cael Husband, Second Secretary (Public Affairs), Embassy of Canada, Tokyo, Japan

2012 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Congratulations to 2012's winners of the Princess Takamado English Essay Contest.

The essay theme was "Discuss the Role of Canada on the International Stage".

Mr. Yuto Hattori from the University of Tokyo has won the first place prize with the essay "Expressing the value of Symbiosis: The role of Canada on the international stage".
Mr. Takao Terui from the University of Tokyo has won the second place prize for "Keeping Canada's uniqueness".

A special thanks to all of this year's Judging Committee:
Dr. Martin Guardado, Associate Professor/Academic Director, English Language School, University of Alberta
Mr. Gordon Holden, Director, China Institute, University of Alberta

"I was impressed by three things in the top two essays:
first, the breadth of interest of knowledge regarding Canada's
role in the world, secondly the passion with which the views came
through in the text, and finally, the quality of the written English.
It was a pleasure to serve as a judge, and I commend
all those who took part from their efforts."

Dr. Kyoko Oi, Professor of English, Faculty of Education, Chiba University
Mr. Eric Petersson, First Secretary, Academic Relations, Embassy of Canada, Tokyo, Japan

2011 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

Congratulations to 2011's winners of the Princess Takamado Essay Contest!

Mr. Katsuya Kobaru has won first prize this year with his essay, "The Potential of English Education". He will attend the University of Alberta's English Language School after graduation from Kwansei Gakuin University later this year.
Mr. Takuya Mitsushige, from the International University of Kagoshima was the recipient of our second place prize. Because of his insightful essay, "Changing English Education in Japan from the Grass Roots", he is planning to start his studies in the English Program through the Faculty of Extension in July of 2012.

And a special thanks also goes out to all of this year's Judges:
Dr. Kyoko Oi, Professor of English in the Faculty of Education, Chiba University
Mr. Eric Petersson, First Secretary, Academic Relations, Embassy of Canada, Tokyo, Japan

"I was impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of the submissions
of each of the finalists. They had all done their research and were
invested in the topic. It was difficult selecting among them, and expect
that they will all do well at the next step in their academic lives."

Mr. Gordon Houlden, Director of the China Institute, University of Alberta

"I was impressed by the quality of the essay submissions in this
year's contest. It also seemed significant to me that young Japanese
students are devoting serious thought to foreign language acquisition
in Japan, and by extension to the broader question of Japan's place in
the 21st century globalized world."

Dr. Martin Guardado, Associate Professor/Academic Director of the English Language School, University of Alberta

"[The Potential of English Education] is a well-written and well-researched
essay with a strong academic focus. Excellent engagement with relevant concepts."

"[Changing English Education in Japan] contains a discussion that is embedded within
the broader Asian context and the local national reality. One of the strengths of
this essay is its careful attention to essay structure."

2009 Princess Takamado English Essay Contest

This was the first year of the Princess Takamado Essay Contest.

The essay theme was:
"An issue currently affecting us on a global scale is that of the Environment. Climate change, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources are all topics being debated by people all over the world. Discuss ways that Canada and Japan can work towards finding solutions to these problems."

Congratulations to Ms. Rika Tanaka of Ritsumeikan University for winning essay submission, "Advantages of Canada and Japan Change Environment." Ms. Tanaka attended the English Language School at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Extension in September 2010.
Ms. Erika Saito of Kwansei Gakuin University won the second prize award for her essay, "Learning environment from birds," and attended the English Language School in July 2010.