Sixteen participants from 15 embassies and organizers pose for a photo after the contest at Tokyo's Akasaka Kumin Center on April 22 . | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Sixteen participants from 15 embassies and organizers pose for a photo after the contest at Tokyo's Akasaka Kumin Center on April 22 . | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Victoria O. Ryabova of Russia receives the Foreign Minister's Award from Foreign Ministry Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Daisuke Okabe at the 20th annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Victoria O. Ryabova of Russia receives the Foreign Minister's Award from Foreign Ministry Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Daisuke Okabe at the 20th annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Education Minister's Prize winner Jeong Dong-gun from Korea. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Education Minister's Prize winner Jeong Dong-gun from Korea. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Cultural Affairs Agency Prize winner Wang Hong Wei from China. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Cultural Affairs Agency Prize winner Wang Hong Wei from China. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Organizers prepare for the 11th Ikebana International World Convention in Okinawa which took place at the Okinawa Convention Center on April 12 to 15. | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL
Organizers prepare for the 11th Ikebana International World Convention in Okinawa which took place at the Okinawa Convention Center on April 12 to 15. | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL

Attendees take part in a workshop at. | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL
Attendees take part in a workshop at. | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL

1,080 participants from 135 countries and regions took part in the event that is held every five years . | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL
1,080 participants from 135 countries and regions took part in the event that is held every five years . | IKEBANA INTERNATIONAL