(pictured above: Ambassador Shigeo Yamada on left and Professor Tsujioka on right)
On November 1, 2024, the Japanese Learning Inspired Vision and Engagement (J.LIVE) Talk program of The George Washington University’s Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures received the Ambassador’s Commendation in recognition of “its contributions to fostering friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States over the years.” The Award Ceremony and Reception took place on December 9 at the Ambassador’s Residence, honoring J.LIVE Talk along with two other awardees: Randolph-Macon College’s Department of Asian Studies and the Japanese Language Education Advocacy and Resource Network (J-LEARN).
Dr. Takae Tsujioka, Executive Director of J.LIVE Talk and Teaching Associate Professor in the Japanese Language at The George Washington University, accepted the award certificate and medal on behalf of the J.LIVE Talk team. The award was presented by Ambassador Shigeo Yamada.
In his remarks, Ambassador Yamada praised J.LIVE Talk’s impact: “Through the establishment of the J.LIVE Talk, a nationwide Japanese presentation contest launched in 2015, the George Washington University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures has contributed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders with advanced Japanese language and communication skills.”
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Tsujioka expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am thrilled to celebrate the occasion with many fellow language educators from the DC area. J.LIVE Talk is truly a collective effort, shaped by the ideas and hard work of many. The program emphasizes the importance of language and cultural education in today’s interconnected world, and it is inspiring to witness J.LIVE Talk participants courageously showcase the beauty of language as they refine and craft messages in others’ languages to truly connect with people from diverse backgrounds.”
Advisory Committee Member, Ambassador John Malott offered a toast in celebration during the reception. “J.LIVE Talk has created something totally new – a language competition for the 21st century, that focuses on presentation skills and audience engagement,” said Amb. Malott. “Given our short attention spans today and our desire to be entertained, I think that approach is far more relevant in today’s world – and that’s why it’s been so successful.”
The event was attended by a number of guests, including J.LIVE Talk staff, supporters, and GW student volunteers. Dr. Immanuel Kim, Chair of the Department of East Asian Languages and Literature and the Korea Foundation and Kim-Renaud Associate Professor of Korean Literature and Culture Studies said,
“J.LIVE Talk is a testament to our Japanese faculty’s commitment to create a platform on which students of the Japanese language from all over the country can ‘perform’ their passion for the culture and engage with other contestants who share the same. I applaud our department faculty and student volunteers for their tireless efforts of hosting J.LIVE Talk year after year for the past ten years. おつかれさま! I also want to thank the Embassy of Japan for acknowledging J.LIVE Talk as a significant contribution of Japanese language and culture to the community. ”
Phoebe Jones (CCAS ‘25), a J.LIVE Talk volunteer since 2021, shared her thoughts: “As someone who majors in Japanese and has spent time living in Japan, it was very meaningful and heartening for me to meet so many people who are equally passionate about the country, its language, and its culture. I also had the great honor of meeting the Ambassador himself, who very graciously took the time to meet each of my fellow J.LIVE volunteers.”
Lucas Kozuch (CCAS ‘26) explained his motivation for volunteering:「私のような日本語の学生の話を知りたく、みんなが学んだことを発表で伝えるのを手伝いたいので、毎年J.LIVE Talkにボランティアしています。(I volunteer every year at J.LIVE Talk because I want to learn about the experiences of Japanese language students like myself, and I want to help everyone share what they have learned in their presentations.)」He also shared his excitement about meeting Ambassador Yamada.「クラスメートと一緒に日本語で山田大使とさえ会話しました。信じられないですよね。この経験を絶対に、忘れません。(I even had a conversation in Japanese with Ambassador Yamada, along with my classmates. It's hard to believe, right? I will definitely never forget this experience.)」
Yizhou Pan (CCAS ‘25)’s words summarize a feeling perhaps shared by all those involved, “Participating in the J.LIVE Talk Ambassador’s Commendation ceremony was a uniquely enriching experience, blending cultural immersion with heartfelt recognition. The event highlighted the passion and achievements of Japanese language professionals, whose dedication to education left me deeply inspired. This celebration of shared purpose—between educators, volunteers, and supporters—reignited my pride in contributing to J.LIVE Talk’s mission. It was a vivid reminder that language is more than words; it’s a bridge to understanding.”
J.LIVE Talk will mark its 11th event and 10 year anniversary this year. We will look forward to receiving applications this September, with the Final Round scheduled for November 9, 2025.
Please stay tuned for updates on our website at www.JLIVEtalk.com for more details in the coming months.