Over the past month, the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), along with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston, has continued to evaluate the possibility of rescheduling the 2020 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest before the end of the school year.

In light of the announcement that Texas schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year owing to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), as well as notification of the cancellation of the Aurora All-U.S.A. High School Japanese Speech Contest, it is with regret that we share a difficult decision has been reached to cancel this year’s event.

This news is certainly disappointing for all involved. We acknowledge and appreciate the hundreds of students, teachers, parents, mentors and volunteers who have invested time and energy in preparing for the contest, and we share in the sadness caused by the nonfulfillment of your hopes.

The mission of the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest has always been to inspire Japanese language learners at all levels of study, and we continue to be deeply committed to this mission. Out of desire to see your commitment to Japanese language learning rewarded, we will be sending to all registered contestants the “Participation Prizes” that were to be given to you at the time of on-site registration.

While, at this critical time, our foremost priority must be protecting the health and wellbeing of our contest participants and supporters at this time, we look forward to a time when language learners and advocates can gather together in Texas.

Until then, please stay well as you stay home.

To learn more about the contest, visit jas-hou.org/contest-handbook.

[CANCELED] 2020 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest