NEWS

ICU Student Wins First Place in the 7th JACI Simultaneous Interpreting Grand Prix (Student Division)

Update: July 4, 2025

Kana Matsuda (a third-year student in the College of Liberal Arts, double majoring in Media, Communication and Culture, and in Sociology) won first place in the Student Division of the 7th JACI Simultaneous Interpreting Grand Prix, hosted by the Japan Association of Conference Interpreters (JACI) on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

This contest aims to enhance the skills of students and working professionals studying interpretation, and interpreters with up to three years of experience as simultaneous interpreters, by providing an opportunity for friendly competition.

In the final round, participants simultaneously interpreted two speeches: the English speech "Eisteddfod: the Cultural Heart of Wales" (by Bethan Jones), and the Japanese speech "International School Education from the Perspective of an Interpreter and Parent" (by Wakana Myers). They were evaluated on accuracy, expressive ability and paraphrasing skills, speed and pacing, as well as composure.
Four contestants advanced to the final round in the Student Division, where Matsuda secured first place.

The runner-up was Aroha Komatsu (a second-year student at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a July 2023 graduate of the College of Liberal Arts, where she majored in Media, Communication and Culture).

　

Comments by the Awardee:
I am honored to have received the Grand Prix award in the student division of this year's JACI Simultaneous Interpreting Grand Prix contest.

I chose to enter ICU in 2022 because of the unique opportunity to study both Japanese and interpreting studies. After completing the Special Japanese program, I started taking Professor Tamura's Introduction to Interpreting course in December 2024. Since then, I have been blessed with opportunities to gain experience interpreting at on-campus events.
It was a true privilege to participate in this year's Grand Prix competition with Professor Tamura's past and current students, whom I deeply admire.

I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Tamura, my fellow classmates, my family, and above all, to God, who has given me these opportunities by His grace.

As I enter my last year at ICU, I am excited to continue my studies and pursue my goal of giving others a voice through interpreting.

　

Matsuda's comments, featured as one of the "Voices of the Winners" from the 7th JACI Simultaneous Interpreting Grand Prix, are also available on the JACI website.
"7th JACI Simultaneous Interpreting Grand Prix: Voices of the Winners"