On 5 June, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, together with the United Nations International School and the Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese, held a student Haiku Contest and Awards Assembly, co-sponsored a student Haiku Contest and Awards Assembly at the United Nations International School (UNIS).

About 1250 poems in Japanese and English were submitted this year by students ranging from elementary school to high school. Of them, 125 were specially selected to be on display for 2 weeks at UNIS, and awards were given to the top 3 winners of 5 divisions, including a new Teacher’s Division. The poems were noted for their originality, ability to evoke the reader’s senses, memories, and other criteria.

Ambassador attended the Awards Assembly, expressing great satisfaction on the increasing popularity of the Haiku Contest over the years in his opening remarks. The awards ceremony was followed by concert of traditional Japanese music.