On 30 May, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, together with the United Nations International School and the Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese, co-sponsored a student Haiku Contest and Award assembly at the United Nations International School (UNIS) where the poems have been on display since 29 May.

About 900 poems in Japanese and English were submitted this year by students ranging from elementary school to high school. Of them, 100 were specially selected to be on display for 2 weeks at UNIS, and awards were given to the top 3 winners of 6 divisions. The poems were noted for their originality, ability to evoke the reader’s senses, etc.

Minister Mikio Mori attended the Awards Assembly, expressing great satisfaction on the increasing popularity of the Haiku Contest over the years in his opening remarks.

The exhibit of poems runs from 29 May – 12 June 2009 in the United Nations International School.