Top > What's up around the Prime Minister > March, 2005

Winners of High School Speech Contest on Northern Territories Pay Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Tuesday, March 8, 2005 Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Official Residence from the top winners of the nineteenth High School Speech Contest on the Northern Territories. This Contest was held with participation of contestants representing high schools in Hokkaido on January 29. The first prize (the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize) was awarded to Wataru Nomura, a second-year student at Hokkaido Nemuro High School, while the second prize (the Governor of Hokkaido Prize) went to Natsumi Matsumoto, a first-year student at Hokkai High School. Prime Minister Koizumi first congratulated the two for their achievements and then talked about the evaluation points of the speech contest as well as extracurricular activities at high schools. He then said, "I'd like you two to utilize the experience you have gained from taking part in this Contest and keep up your efforts."