Okay, here’s a detailed article based on the provided Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) press release about the 24th “Kikigaki Koshien” (Listening and Writing Koshien) competition, aimed at high school students:
High School Students Invited to Participate in the 24th “Kikigaki Koshien” – Preserving Rural Wisdom and Traditions
On May 9, 2025, the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced the opening of applications for the 24th annual “Kikigaki Koshien” (聞き書き甲子園). This unique competition offers high school students across Japan a valuable opportunity to connect with and learn from individuals working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries, preserving invaluable knowledge and traditions for future generations.
What is “Kikigaki Koshien”?
“Kikigaki” literally translates to “listening and writing down.” The competition challenges high school students to conduct in-depth interviews with experienced farmers, foresters, and fishermen in their local communities. The students then craft compelling narratives based on these interviews, documenting the wisdom, skills, and experiences of these individuals.
Essentially, it’s a project that allows young people to become oral historians, capturing the stories and knowledge of those who work the land and sea. These are often skills and experiences that are not formally documented but are crucial for understanding and preserving traditional practices.
Why is this Competition Important?
- Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: Japan’s agricultural, forestry, and fishing industries are steeped in tradition. The “Kikigaki Koshien” helps preserve valuable knowledge and skills that might otherwise be lost as older generations retire.
- Connecting Generations: The competition fosters meaningful connections between high school students and experienced professionals in rural areas. This interaction provides students with a unique perspective on rural life and the challenges and rewards of working in these industries.
- Promoting Rural Revitalization: By highlighting the importance and value of rural industries, the “Kikigaki Koshien” can help promote rural revitalization and encourage young people to consider careers in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
- Developing Important Skills: Participating students develop valuable skills in interviewing, listening, writing, research, and communication.
- Creating a Valuable Archive: The collected “Kikigaki” stories form a valuable archive of oral histories, providing insights into the past, present, and future of Japan’s rural industries.
What Happens in the Competition?
- Application: High school students apply to participate. This likely involves submitting an application form, possibly with a statement of interest or a proposal for their project. (Specific application details would be on the MAFF website or related competition website, which wasn’t linked in the initial prompt).
- Interview: Students are paired with experienced individuals in agriculture, forestry, or fishing. They conduct in-depth interviews, carefully listening to and documenting their stories.
- Writing: Students then craft compelling narratives based on their interviews, showcasing the knowledge, skills, and experiences of their interviewees.
- Judging: A panel of experts evaluates the “Kikigaki” stories based on criteria such as the quality of the interview, the clarity and engaging nature of the writing, and the overall significance of the story.
- Awards Ceremony: The top entries are recognized at an awards ceremony, celebrating the students’ achievements and the wisdom of their interviewees.
Who Can Participate?
The competition is open to high school students across Japan. Specific eligibility criteria (such as age or enrollment status) might apply, but generally, any high school student with an interest in rural life and a passion for storytelling can participate.
How to Get Involved:
While this announcement signals the beginning of the application process, interested students and educators should look for more detailed information on the official MAFF website (rinya.maff.go.jp) or a dedicated website for the “Kikigaki Koshien” competition. The websites would likely provide:
- Detailed application guidelines and deadlines
- Examples of past winning entries
- Contact information for inquiries.
In Conclusion:
The “Kikigaki Koshien” is a remarkable initiative that empowers high school students to connect with their communities, preserve valuable knowledge, and develop essential skills. It’s a win-win for both the students and the experienced individuals whose stories are shared and celebrated. It is a commendable effort by MAFF to ensure the sustainability and appreciation of these vital sectors of Japanese society.
第24回「聞き書き甲子園」に参加する高校生の募集を開始します
The AI has delivered the news.
The following question was used to generate the response from Google Gemini:
At 2025-05-09 01:30, ‘第24回「聞き書き甲子園」に参加する高校生の募集を開始します’ was published according to 農林水産省. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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