2007_02_Session_A_sample speeches

1. Should Japan’s wealth be distributed more evenly among its citizens?

There are two main points that must be answered before giving a clear yes or no to this question. First, Japan has one of the largest, if not the largest, populations of middle class citizens in the world. A few, years ago, a survey found that a large percentage of Japanese view themselves as middle class. In this sense, I believe our country has been quiet successful in the distribution of wealth. However, the situation is no longer so simple. There has been much talk recently about increasing gap between “the haves” and “the have-nots.” Many workers fail to make enough to support themselves, especially the growing number of part-time workers. These people come to be called “the working poor.” Japanese companies often take advantage of the part-time and contract workers, who often do the same work as full-time staff but who get paid much less and who often do not receive any benefits, such as insurance. In addition, companies are laying off many full-time workers, especially middle-aged workers, to reduce their costs. These workers often have difficulty finding equivalent work, so they remain unemployed for long periods of time or they may eventually settle for part-time work, earning much less than they did before. Because of these employment trends, something must be done to help these people, the working poor. In these sense, I do be believe that there are people who need support, so there is an increasing need to redistribute wealth in Japan.

In this sense, I believe our country has been quiet successful in the distribution of wealth. However, the situation is no longer so simple. There has been much talk recently about increasing gap between “the haves” and “the have-nots.” Many workers fail to make enough to support themselves, especially the growing number of part-time workers. These people come to be called “the working poor.” Japanese companies often take advantage of the part-time and contract workers, who often do the same work as full-time staff but who get paid much less and who often do not receive any benefits, such as insurance. In addition, companies are laying off many full-time workers, especially middle-aged workers, to reduce their costs. These workers often have difficulty finding equivalent work, so they remain unemployed for long periods of time or they may eventually settle for part-time work, earning much less than they did before. Because of these employment trends, something must be done to help these people, the working poor.

In these sense, I do be believe that there are people who need support, so there is an increasing need to redistribute wealth in Japan.

2. Is it possible to keep politics out of international sporting events?

There are many different kinds of international sporting events, but if the event is a large scale one like the Olympics, it is difficult if not impossible to keep politics out of it. There are several reasons why. First, setting up such events is a huge task by itself. In the case of the Olympics, a host city must be selected, rules for the athletes, games and judges must be agreed upon, and sharing of costs must be determined. All of these involve complex negotiations from participating countries, and many of the countries’ stances are invariability political in nature. Countries have vested interest in how well their athletes do in the Olympics, and so governments are involved to varying degrees in the selection and training of athletes. Athletes fro certain countries may fear what will happen to them if they fail to obtain a medal. Judging of events has been notoriously political. Moreover, there are numerous instances where countries have boycotted the Olympics for political reasons, where judging has been protested, and where countries have knowingly cheated in one way or another. There was even one instance, in the Munich Summer Games, where athletes were killed by a terrorist group aiming to make a political out of major international sporting events.

There are many different kinds of international sporting events, but if the event is a large scale one like the Olympics, it is difficult if not impossible to keep politics out of it.

There are several reasons why. First, setting up such events is a huge task itself. In the case of the Olympics, a host city must be selected, rules for the athletes, games and judges must be agreed upon, and sharing of costs must be determined. All of these involve complex negotiations from participating countries and many of the countries’ stances are invariably political in nature. Countries have vested interest in how well their athletes do in the Olympics and so governments are involved to varying degrees in the selection and training of athletes. Athletes for certain countries may fear what will happen to them if they fail to obtain a medal. Judging of events has been notoriously political. Moreover, there are numerous instances where countries have boycotted the Olympics for political reasons, where judging had been protested, and where countries have knowingly cheated in one way or another. There was even one instance, in the Munich Summer Games, wherein athletes were killed by a terrorist group aiming to make a political statement out of major international sporting events.

I believe politics is found in everything; may it be in sporting events, in community gatherings and even in church activities.

3. The value of an arts degree vs. a science degree in the real world.

It’s important for society to have students trained in both the arts and the science, but in the real world today, there is a greater need for more scientists. In Japan, those students with a degree in computer technology, the health sciences, mathematics and other scientific departments are likely to be offered more jobs and at higher salaries than those graduating with an arts degree. Japan is falling behind in its number if of trained scientists, and there is a real danger that China, India and other developing countries will someday overshadow Japan because of their huge efforts in scientific education. In fact, Japan is already bringing in skilled Chinese scientists to fill positions that Japanese cannot fill. Furthermore, science is becoming so pervasive in our lives that many students pursuing liberal arts degrees must enroll in various scientific courses. In some instances, their majors have actually morphed into science programs. Psychologists are now required to know more about biology and the intricacies of the human brain and nervous system. Artists of all kinds must become familiar with computers and numerous software programs. Business economists must be skilled at statistical analysis and probability. Our working world relies on scientific skills, so the training of students in the hard sciences is increasingly imperative.

It’s important for society to have students trained in both the arts and the science, but in the real world today, there is a greater need for more scientists.

In Japan, those students with a degree in computer technology, the health sciences, mathematics and other scientific departments are likely to be offered more jobs and at higher salaries than those graduating with an arts degree. Japan is falling behind in its number if of trained scientists, and there is a real danger that China, India and other developing countries will someday overshadow Japan because of their huge efforts in scientific education. In fact, Japan is already bringing in skilled Chinese scientists to fill positions that Japanese cannot fill. Furthermore, science is becoming so pervasive in our lives that many students pursuing liberal arts degrees must enroll in various scientific courses. In some instances, their majors have actually morphed into science programs. Psychologists are now required to know more about biology and the intricacies of the human brain and nervous system. Artists of all kinds must become familiar with computers and numerous software programs. Business economists must be skilled at statistical analysis and probability.

Our working world relies on scientific skills, so the training of students in the hard sciences is increasingly imperative.

4 Should more be done to promote equality for women in Japan?

Yes, Japan must do more to promote women’s equality. It is true that women have more job and social equality than they did one hundred, or even fifty years ago, but too much is expected of women in Japan and too little compensation is paid to them. After marriage, women are expected to fulfill the roles of wife, lover, homemaker, mother, and increasingly, wage-earning partner. These combined roles greatly stress women. In addition, more women than men work in poorly paid part-time positions, often doing similar work to their better paid male counterparts. Married women and especially pregnant women are often pushed out of their companies to make way for younger, single women. When women later try to return to the workforce, they have the difficulty finding jobs, especially well paying jobs. There is very little support for mothers to enable them to take on full time jobs, such as inexpensive day care programs for their children. Many schools pressure mothers to get involve in programs and take on volunteer activities, making it difficult for them to return to work. Moreover, there are still very few women in management positions in Japan, and those, far fewer that are able to have any kind of family life. Much has been made of equal opportunity in Japan, but the reality is quite different. As women are still not treated equally, Japan must continue to strive to achieve true equality.

Yes, Japan must do more to promote women’s equality. It is true that women have more jobs and social equality than they did one hundred, or even fifty years ago, but too much is expected of women in Japan and too little compensation is paid to them.

After marriage, women are expected to fulfill the roles of wife, lover, homemaker, mother, and increasingly, wage-earning partner. These combined roles greatly stress women. In addition, more women than men work in poorly paid part-time positions, often doing similar work to their better paid male counterparts. Married women and especially pregnant women are often pushed out of their companies to make way for younger, single women. When women later try to return to the workforce, they have the difficulty finding jobs, especially well paying jobs. There is very little support for mothers to enable them to take on full time jobs, such as inexpensive day care programs for their children. Many schools pressure mothers to get involve in programs and take on volunteer activities, making it difficult for them to return to work. Moreover, there are still very few women in management positions in Japan, and those, far fewer that are able to have any kind of family life.

Much has been made of equal opportunity in Japan, but the reality is quite different. As women are still not treated equally, Japan must continue to strive to achieve true equality.

5. Does fortunetelling have a role to play in today’s society?

Many people may think that fortunetelling is a frivolous pastime, but it still does play a role in today’s society. Many people enjoy looking at their daily horoscope on-line or in the newspaper. The words give them something to think about and work towards. Fortunetelling gives us a safe way to talk about important personal concerns and issues with others. It also provides us with hope and inspiration. Street corner fortunetellers often provide counseling service to people with serious problems who might not otherwise receive any support. Through fortunetelling, we are forced to confront our personalities and obstacles and sometimes make tough choices so that we can move forwards. Most people do not confuse horoscopes and other types of fortunetelling with scientific truths, yet like the words of religious scripture, they can provide us with important food for thought and solace at times of need. The best fortunetellers integrate spiritual teachings into their prophecies and words of encouragement, enabling us to reach for higher truths and more noble causes. Life today is often hectic and stressful. Fortunetelling provides us with an enjoyable and useful way to gain a unique perspective on our life and build a better tomorrow.

Fortunetelling gives us a safe way to talk about important personal concerns and issues with others. It also provides us with hope and inspiration. Street corner fortunetellers often provide counseling service to people with serious problems who might not otherwise receive any support. Through fortunetelling, we are forced to confront our personalities and obstacles and sometimes make tough choices so that we can move forwards. Most people do not confuse horoscopes and other types of fortunetelling with scientific truths, yet like the words of religious scripture, they can provide us with important food for thought and solace at times of need. The best fortunetellers integrate spiritual teachings into their prophecies and words of encouragement, enabling us to reach for higher truths and more noble causes.

Life today is often hectic and stressful. Fortunetelling provides us with an enjoyable and useful way to gain a unique perspective on our life and build a better tomorrow.