Fukuyama Transport and Komaru Transportation Foundation held the 3rd Japanese Essay and Speech Contest at Sonoma State University in the United States on October 28. The contest was co-sponsored by Sonoma State University and Fukuyama City University, with Fukuyama Transport as the special sponsor.
<Rine Jean (left), winner of the top prize, and Chairman Komaru (right)>
This year's contest was held with the theme of "traffic" with the aim of raising awareness of traffic safety in the United States. Nine students delivered speeches in the presence of guest speaker Takeshi Ishihara, Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco.
The top prize was awarded to Line Jean from Sacramento State University, who gave a speech stating, "Driving while using a smartphone is extremely dangerous, starting with just a moment of carelessness, so it is important for each individual to change their awareness."
<Group photo at the contest venue>
The Komaru Traffic Foundation was established on September 9, 2013, with the aim of promoting and raising awareness of traffic safety. In addition to holding traffic safety classes mainly at elementary schools nationwide and conducting awareness campaigns to prevent traffic accidents, the foundation also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing opportunities for students studying Japanese overseas to present their learning achievements.
