IIBC: Connecting Hearts, Expanding Worlds

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IIBC aptly named the theme of its 2025 English essay award ceremony featuring Japanese high school English students, "Connecting Hearts, Expanding Worlds — Resonating Through Communication." The award ceremony was held at a hotel in Tokyo on November 23. 

Eight winning students were introduced and celebrated with certificates of award and commemorative gifts. How did their worlds expand through their essays? JAPAN Forward will be showcasing the eight winning essays as part of its "Ignite" project, which aims to share the voices of students in Japan with the world.

The contest was organized by the Institute for International Business Communication (Nakano, Nakano Ward, Tokyo; President: Hiroatsu Fujisawa). IIBC is a general incorporated foundation that implements and operates the "Test of English for International Communication," known as TOEIC in Japan. This year, 2025, marks the 17th iteration of the contest. 

Many high school students participate every year, and in 2025, the contest received a record number of entries. Students from 224 schools submitted 433 essays in the individual category, and 68 schools submitted 3,936 essays in the group category.

IIBC President Fujisawa, who served as the chair of the judging panel, commented: "Selecting the winners from so many outstanding entries was extremely difficult. Many of the works were based on experiences living or studying abroad. However, this year we also received many works that depicted heartfelt connections in everyday life in Japan, as well as works skillfully expressing how much the world has expanded. I look forward to seeing more such wonderful works in the future."

Introducing Award Winners

The Grand Prize winner, Tsuchiya Haruto, is a first-year student at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School (Miyagi Prefecture) who wrote an essay titled "Thank you without saying." Upon receiving the award, he expressed his joy by saying, "When I was in elementary school, a classmate with a disability expressed his gratitude through actions rather than words. Based on that experience, I wrote about how 'the essence of communication is in the heart' and 'the importance of silence.'"

The Excellence Award winner, Ria Sugawara, is a fifth-year student at Senzoku Gakuen High School (Kanagawa Prefecture). When presented with her award, she commented on her piece "Flight," saying: "I wrote about my experience of meeting a dancer with a hearing impairment. It taught me about connecting with people from the heart, beyond words. I hope that readers will share in the new awareness that can be gained by accepting differences and understanding each other."

Additionally, Rian Nishiyama, a third-year student at Matsuyama Shinonome Junior and Senior High School (Ehime Prefecture) received the Award of Merit. Her essay was titled, "HUG - Healing, Understanding, Giving." 

Nishiyama commented on her award, saying: "During my month of studying abroad in the United States, hugs were what really captured my heart. It was the first hug I ever received. It connected our hearts. Also, I saw the hug that former President Obama gave when he visited Hiroshima. I wrote this essay because I wanted to convey the power of a hug (Healing, Understanding, Giving) and my wish for peace." 

Special Mention Awards for Outstanding Essays

The judges selected an additional five works for Special Mention Awards. They are:

• "My Passport to the World: How Communication Opened My Mind" by Yuni Ou, a second-year student at Clark High School, Tennoji Campus (Osaka Prefecture); 
• "Cinematic Bridges" by Koko Okamura, a third-year student at Kochi Prefectural Kochi Marunouchi High School (Kochi Prefecture); 
• "Finding Harmony Through Dialogue" by Rui Konishi, a third-year student at Omi Brotherhood Senior High School (Shiga Prefecture); 
• "To Quarrel or Debate, That is the Question" by Shuto Nakamura, a second-year student at Kansai Soka High School (Osaka Prefecture); and 
• "From Annoyance to Understanding" by Hayashi Yuya, a second-year student at Hotoku Gakuen High School (Hyogo Prefecture).

The world today is filled with dissonance. However, JAPAN Forward believes it is important to convey the aspirations of the next generation in Japan who are moving forward with their eyes fixed on the future.

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Author: JAPAN Forward

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