A South Korean high school student took the top prize at a Japanese-language speech contest in the city of Okayama on Sunday after expressing support for Japan's struggle to recover from the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
In her speech, based on the theme of "Japan as I know it," Pak Hye Won, 16, said she hopes Japan will get back on its feet, quoting a line from a song by Japanese pop group Arashi that says, "Let's rise up again. With great ardor."
Pak wants to study at a university in Japan, but her parents are opposed because of the disasters. "Still my dream is to come to Japan through an exchange program. Japan always gives me the courage to take a step forward," she said.
Pak overcame nine contenders from China, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who had spent less than a year in Japan. The nine managed to reach the finals after outshining around 800 other candidates.
The contest was organized by Kake Educational Institution.