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| Newsletter
No.67 |
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October & November 2004
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7th University Debating Competition
ESUJ's annual autumn university debating competition was held for
the seventh time this year. Each school entering the pick of their
debating squads in the contest. This year, teams from Aoyama Gakuin
University and Kyushu University participated for the first time.
A wonderful team of debaters from the UK also actively participated
enthusiastically (see separate article). The hotly-contested clash
of 30 teams from 21 universities commenced the morning of Sunday,
October 10 at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center. There were
four matches in the preliminary rounds. The following day, amidst
great expectations and fears, the debaters heard the results announced.
The following eight teams splendidly advanced to the final rounds
(in order of rank): Yokohama National Univ. 2, Keio.2, Keio 1, Osaka
Pref. Univ.1, Univ. of Kitakyushu 1, Tsuda College 1, Tokyo Institute
of Technology 1, and Toyo Eiwa Univ.
From here on out, the competition followed tournament format. The
result of the high-level, vigorously fought contest was that Yokohoma
National University 2 and Keio University 2 advanced to the final
match, debating the motion ﾒThis House would amend Article 9 of the
Japanese Constitution.ﾓ Both sides fought valiantly, producing a match
well worth seeing. The eleven judges returned a split decision, 6
to 5, in favor of Yokohama National University. Gaining the winners'
crown this year were the same team as had been last year's runners-up,
YNU's Mirhat Alykulov and Takeshi Sasaki.
Winners: Yokohama National University 2 (Mirhat Alykulov, Takeshi
Sasaki)
Runners Up: Keio University 2 (Mari Murakami, Ryo Takikawa)
Third Place: Osaka Prefecture University 1 (Chihiro Nakagawa, Masanori Kawachi) and Tsuda College 1 (Yuki Aoki, Kaori Mukai)
This year, the Baroness Brigstocke Prize for the Best Speaker was inaugurated, in memory of the former Chairman of the ESU in London who worked so diligently for the establishment of the ESUJ debate competition and sadly died in a traffic accident in May this year. The prize was awarded to Mirhat Alykulov. We would like to thank everyone who participated, including the Tournament Director, Mihoko Saito, ATDs Keiko Tsuji and Naoko Tsuchihashi, MC, Mr. Anthony Millington, who has become the ﾔface' of the tournament, and all the judges, chairpersons and staff members.
Motions:
R 1: This House believes that the Internet does more harm than good to children.
R2: This House believes that China no longer needs official development assistance from Japan.
R3: This House would welcome more foreign workers to Japan.
R 4: This House would advocate cloning technology.
Q. F: This House would support free trade agreements in Asia.
S. F: This House believes that public figures have the right to private lives.
UK Team encounters a Typhoon!
This year's UK team, consisting of Mr. James Probert, the new leader, Ms. Helen Jarman (Cardiff), Mr. Greg O'Mahoney (Oxford), Mr. Richard Osborne (Inns of Court School of Law), and Mr. Nick Pacheco (College of Law) arrived at Kansai Airport on October 5th. The following day, they were shown around Kyoto by Japanese students. In the evening they gave a parliamentary debate seminar at Osaka Prefecture University, jointly organized by KIEF and ESUJ. The team traveled to Tokyo on October 7 and enjoyed a welcome dinner of shabu shabu hosted by ESUJ. The following day, October 8, they gave a seminar at ICU high school, and in the evening held a seminar with the world championships in mind, organized by the JPDU. Then, on the 9th, the first-ever parliamentary debate workshop aimed at adult debaters was to be held, with Mr. Toshiyuki Inoue largely taking charge of the arrangements. But, with Typhoon No.22 about to hit Tokyo that evening and the possibility of transport disruptions, etc, most regrettably, the event had to be canceled. Confined to the Olympic Center, the UK team waited excitedly for their first experience of a typhoon. For the debate competition on the 10th and the 11th, they were in great form once again at the workshop, taking part in the judging, and in the model debate. In spite of a very full schedule, they all participated in their Japan experience in high spirits. A big ﾒ Thanksﾓ to all five members of the team!
English Club Notice
Masumi Muramatsu's English Club has met more than 60 times since its inauguration in March, 1999 and is one of ESUJ's most highly regarded activities. Sadly, while in Nagoya on September 12, MM felt some irregularity on his right side and had to be hospitalized. Fortunately, the crisis has passed, but he will not be able to appear at English Club for awhile. MM is now in hospital near his home and undergoing rehabilitation. He is making smooth progress toward recovery. We fervently hope for MM's complete and speedy recovery.
At the September 21 meeting of English Club, Mr Toshiyuki Inoue stood
in on short notice for MM. Inoue-sensei is a specialist in English
presentation and debate, with particular emphasis on coaching for
working persons. In spite of the short notice, he gave a delightful,
edifying program in which everyone was able to participate naturally.
At the October 19 meeting, Mr Rabinder Malik, former executive officer
of the UN University, gave a very interesting talk about the present
and future state of the UN, which is being sorely tested by current
world circumstances.
We hope to continue with English Club as always, and will be inviting
guest speakers, centered on Inoue-sensei, while we await MM's recovery.
We hope you will all continue to participate. Our song practice for
the Christmas party is entering its final stages under the leadership
of MC Muneo Wakabayashi.
English Club will next be held on Tuesday, November 16, 18:30 ﾐ 20:30
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For
further informaiton contact!
E-MAIL:esuj@esuj.gr.jp
Fujikage-Building
9th Floor, Motoakasaka 1-1-5
MInato-ku, Tokyo 107-0051
TEL: 03-3423-0970 FAX: 03-3423-0971
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