J.LIVE Talk Past Events
J.LIVE Talk 2025 Report
The 10th Anniversary J.LIVE Talk (Japanese Learning Inspired Vision and Engagement) was held on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in the Amphitheater of The George Washington University. Since its founding in 2015, J.LIVE Talk has provided Japanese language learners across the United States with a platform to express their ideas through dynamic, TED-style presentations delivered entirely in Japanese.
This year’s milestone event welcomed fifteen outstanding finalists representing two high school divisions and three college divisions. Applicants came from a wide range of states, including California, the District of Columbia, Idaho, Maryland, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia, demonstrating the continued national reach and impact of J.LIVE Talk. The finalists delivered inspiring and original presentations that highlighted their unique perspectives, passion for the Japanese language, and dedication to deepening cross-cultural understanding.
The judging panel consisted of five distinguished professionals: Mr. Masatsugu Odaira, Minister of Public Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in the United States of America; Mr. Yusuke Inoue, Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Office of Marubeni America Corporation and Director of Japanese Language Education Support for the Japanese Commerce Association of Washington, D.C.; Ms. Arimi Yamada, Partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and Director of Japanese Language Education for JCAW; Ms. Kazuyo Kato, Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA); and Dr. Mari Tsujita, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics at International Christian University (ICU).
The results are as follows:
High School Individual Division
Category I
Gold: Koehn Humphries, Tallwood High School (VA)
"Miso Soup and Using Your Money Wisely (お味噌汁と賢いお金の使い方)"
Silver: Elaina Rivers, Hayfield Secondary School (VA)
"Study Smarter, Not Harder! (賢く勉強する)"
Bronze: Layla Michael, Hayfield Secondary School (VA)
"The Effects of Watching Sports (スポーツを見ることの影響) "
Category II
Gold: Dylan Spitalnick, Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School (NY)
"The Importance of Student Research (学生が研究する事の大切さ)"
Silver: Maya Newman, Hayfield Secondary School (VA)
"A Cat’s Nine Lives (猫に九生)"
Bronze: Will Davis, Dublin Scioto High School (OH)
"There are no shortcuts to learning" and other white lies (「学問に王道なし」 などの罪のない嘘)"
College Division
Category I
Gold: Destiny Coleman, University of Toledo
"What art has given me (アートが私にあたえてくれたもの )"
Silver: Kelsey O'Donnel, George Washington University
"Nature and The Heart (心と自然 ) "
Bronze: Marcus Grant, University of Maryland Baltimore County
"The Power to Turn Dreams into Reality (夢を形にする力)"
Category II
Gold: Dusty Rogers, George Washington University
"The Voice That Carries Home (ふるさとを運ぶ声)"
Silver: Elliott Fujinami, Baylor University
"Discovering What Connects Us (私たちをつなぐもの)"
Bronze: Santiago Minjares, Baylor University
"Empathy Through Culture (文化を通しての共感)"
Category III
Gold: Allie Colburn, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
"Language Learning and Surviving (言語学習と生き抜く事)"
Silver: Olivia Penick, Georgetown University
"The Timeless Resonance of Japanese Traditional Music (時を越える和楽の響)"
Bronze: Erika Braun, George Washington University
"We Wear the Mask (私たちは仮面をかぶる)"
Gold, Silver, and Bronze award winners in the college categories received supplementary cash prizes of $300, $200, and $100 respectively. The Gold Award winner of College Category III, Allie Colburn, also received a scholarship for an intensive six-week language program at the Naganuma School in Tokyo, along with a stipend and housing subsidy of $2,500. The Gold Award Winner in College Category II, Dusty Rogers, received a scholarship for an intensive eight-week language program at Nanzan University in Nagoya, along with a stipend and housing subsidy of $3,000. The Silver Award Winner in College Category I, Kelsey O'Donnel, received a scholarship for an intensive summer language course at International Christian University in Tokyo, along with a stipend and housing subsidy of $2,500.
The theme for the High School Group Video Division was "Places that hold special meaning for us (私たちにとって特別な意味のあるところ)." the winning high schools are as follows:
Gold Award: Stevenson School (CA)
Silver Award: Lake Braddock Secondary School (VA)
Bronze Award: Ocean Lakes High School (VA):
Honorable Mention: Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies (VA)
To commemorate the tenth anniversary, the program featured special video messages from past J.LIVE Talk awardees, who reflected on how the experience influenced their academic paths, professional development, and long-term connection to Japan. Their messages, which can be viewed on J.LIVE Talk’s YouTube Channel, offered thoughtful encouragement to this year’s finalists and resonated strongly with the audience.
A new highlight of the 2025 event was a collaboration with Onigiri Action, a global campaign by TABLE FOR TWO that donates school meals to children in need through photos of rice balls posted on social media. Participants enthusiastically joined the effort, connecting the spirit of J.LIVE Talk with community action and global awareness.
J.LIVE Talk 2025 was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, volunteers, and many partners throughout the Washington, D.C. community. The Organizing Committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to all who contributed to this year’s success and helped celebrate a decade of language, culture, and human connection.
J.LIVE Talk is made possible with the following sponsor organizations.
- ANA
- Embassy of Japan
- George Washington University
- International Christian University
- Japan Commerce Association of Washington, D.C.
- Japan-United States Friendship Commission
- Marufuji Japanese Market
- Naganuma School
- Nanzan University
- O-en Network
- Sojitz Foundation
- Toshiba International Foundation
- TOP US
In addition, we received invaluable support from the local community and Japanese businesses to showcase traditional, as well as contemporary Japanese culture in the booth exhibit, which was a great success, adding even more excitement to the event.
- American Association of Teachers of Japanese
- GW Anime Society
- GW Japanese Cultural Association
- GW Japanese Student Union
- Hana Market
- Kinokuniya USA
- Matcha Time Gift Shop
- Mid-Atlantic Association of Teachers of Japanese
- Study Japanese in Arlington
- Tokiya Japan
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