Twenty participants from16 embassies and organizations pose for a photo after the competition at Tokyo's Akasaka Kumin Center on April 21. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Twenty participants from16 embassies and organizations pose for a photo after the competition at Tokyo's Akasaka Kumin Center on April 21. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Zhang Yidan of China receives the Foreign Minister's Prize from Foreign Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Hiroyuki Yamaya at the 21st annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Zhang Yidan of China receives the Foreign Minister's Prize from Foreign Director of Cultural Affairs and Overseas Public Relations Hiroyuki Yamaya at the 21st annual Japanese Speech Contest for Foreign Embassy Officials in Tokyo. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Kazakhstan's Aidos Darkenov, winner of the Cultural Affairs Agency Prize, deliver speeches at the competition. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Kazakhstan's Aidos Darkenov, winner of the Cultural Affairs Agency Prize, deliver speeches at the competition. | YOSHIAKI MIURA

Kuwait's Yousef Altarkit, winner of the Education Minister's Prize. | YOSHIAKI MIURA
Kuwait's Yousef Altarkit, winner of the Education Minister's Prize. | YOSHIAKI MIURA