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JAPAN Forward launched its "Ignite" series of English compositions to directly share the voices of students in Japan with their global peers. Waseda University student Aiki Shirakawa is one. Within the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) speech contest's motto, "Let's communicate with the world," Aiki Shirakawa explores the balance between politeness and public health. The issue is smoking, and whether nonsmokers should have a greater say in limiting the practice when second- and third-hand chemicals caught in its odors cause nonsmokers to suffer.
Why do nonsmokers say silent, Shirakawa asks. The harmful chemicals in smoking take as long as 40 minutes to dissipate, she recounts. As a result, even if individual smokers follow the rules, they create a public health concern. Is there a way to bridge the individual rights of smokers with the public health good?
Her speech won the 3rd Prize in the 4th annual contest. Do you have thoughts to share? First, let's listen.
Thirty-sixth in the Series, 'Ignite'
Aiki Shirakawa (©IIBC)
Aiki Shirakawa, 3rd Prize Winner of the 4th IIBC University Student English Speech Contest
Watch Aiki Shirakawa give her presentation in English:
About the Winner:
Waseda University student Aiki Shirakawa tackles the question of how far public health rules should go to protect nonsmokers from the harmful chemicals in second- and third-hand smoke. In her presentation, she challenges nonsmokers to speak up and smokers to understand:
"Smokers often think, 'As long as I follow the rules, there’s no problem,' while non-smokers feel, 'Even if the smell is unbearable, I just have to put up with it.' However, if both sides were to share an understanding of the concept of 'thirdhand smoke,' we could surely build a much better relationship. Won't you join us in striving for a society free not only of 'visible smoke' but also of 'invisible smoke'?"
Upon winning the 3rd Prize in the 4th annual IIBC English Contest, she also shared this comment:
"In truth, since there were many things I simply couldn't cover within the eight minutes allotted for my speech, I was particularly looking forward to the eight-minute Q&A session — a unique feature of this contest. Although I faced various difficulties on the day itself due to poor health, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to perform on the stage I have long admired, for the high praise I received, and for the warm encouragement extended to me by everyone right through to the very end."
About the Speech Contest
The "IIBC University Student English Speech Contest" is a nationwide contest for university students, organized by the organization that administers the TOEIC® Program. Aiki Shirakawa's February 2026 presentation is from the contest's 4th edition. To learn more or to participate in the future, see the IIBC homepage.
Explaining the contest, IIBC says, "In this globalized era, leading people in the direction they desire requires logical thinking, appropriate word choice, and skillful use of voice and body language.
"IIBC supports English speech activities that utilize these skills and provide a platform for communication, thereby contributing to the creation of global talent that 'connects the world.'"
Feel free to join the conversation by leaving comments on the topic in the comment box below.
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Author: Aiki Shirakawa, Student,
Waseda University
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