2007 02 Session B Sample Speeches

Can Japanese companies remain competitive in today’s global economy?

Through the years, Japan has been an economic superpower, in fact third in the world to date, as well as very competitive in many spectrum, and for this, I believe Japan still has the ‘it’ factor to be one of the world’s economic great power.

Foremost, ‘The Land of the Rising Sun’ continues to innovate – still leading the world’s modernization. Japan has one of the most sophisticated transportation systems and is leading the world to inventing highly sustainable and efficient transportation vehicles. The hybrid cars, bullet train, and MagLev train are just among Japan’s invention that has benefitted the world. On top of that, Asimo, a highly intricate robot is also capturing people’s attention from all over the planet.

Furthermore, Japanese products have keenly passed the scrutiny of their quality control, thus, it is with no doubt that Japan-made merchandise are of exceptionally high-quality. Electronic devices such as cameras, gaming consoles, music players, and such have remained to be quite sellable in many parts of the world. In addition, even Japanese fashion is making a splash in the world. Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing company has been branching out to many countries such as; Singapore, US, the Philippines, to name a few.

True, that there are certain things that are hindering Japan from being number 1, but it is for sure that Japan will remain in the top for many years to come.

[232 words]

Do fathers today play a big enough role in their children’s upbringing?

[Introduction]

My father played a big role in my life as I grow up. He is the light who guided me to where I am today.

[Body]

Based on my experience, even a very busy father has big influence to their children. It has been proven that the way a child reacts, adapts and accepts situation is clearly found on how he/she is raised by his family. A father specially takes a great influence in his own child even in a small conversation and reactions. He greatly causes the way of thinking of a child and its confidence. My father also inspired me on some of my decisions as if I am thinking like him. I also feel happy whenever I see my father satisfied on my work. Just like loosing away my confidence if I fail to meet his expectations. I get strong on his words of encouragement and am ashamed on his words that are scolding me.

[Conclusion]

I am doing things the way I was told to be right. I have been moving the way I have grown in to. So for me father already played a big role to me just by telling me what is right from wrong.

[200 words]

[Edited by Sarah]

Is reducing poverty the best way to tackle crime?

[Introduction]

The relationship between crime and poverty has been an argument for so many years and they say that poverty is the root of all crimes. That is the reason why we tend to think that poverty is the best way to tackle crime.

[Body]

There was once a study that correlates crime and poverty directly. And as the study goes on, there seem to be a theory that people weigh the crime on the consequences and the possible gain. And the logical conclusion to this theory is that people living in poverty is more likely to commit property crimes like theft, and burglary because that is what they need. At this rate, we have proved that poverty is not the root of all crimes. It is the unsatisfied thoughts of people that make them commit crimes. The thought of not having enough and being not satisfied on something we already have is what make us criminals.

[Conclusion]

Crime has been in our society ever since we started to have discontent in our lives and it is only to keep on growing. Our desires and discontentment in life is the way crime should tackle and not the status being part of the poverty.

[200 words]

[Edited by Sarah]

Should potentially dangerous sports like boxing be banned?

[Introduction]

Boxing is a sport and being enjoyed by everyone but it also promotes violence. To ban or not to ban, that is the question.

[Body]

Boxing is getting more and more popular around the globe. This human equivalent of cock fight has been a sport with a lot of controversies. It is brutal in nature and proved to be dangerous in countless times but it never fails to attract more fans. Boxing is only one of numerous sports that are proved to be deadly and being questioned weather it is worth it to be a sport. “These unjustified sports should be banned.” But what are the grounds to ban these sports? Is it because the athletes get hurt or is it because of the idea of fighting one another? Whatever the reason is, we can never change the fact that these are still sports.

[Conclusion]

For now, we can only lessen the impact of violence and brutality in a child’s point of view. We should guide them on what is right from wrong. Lastly, we must explain that these sports are just made to exercise and is not meant to hurt other people. This way, violence will somehow be a lesser burden.

[200 words]

[Edited by Sarah]

The value of studying philosophy in the modern world

[Introduction]

The importance of philosophy still remains to be as important as ever even in the modern days of today. We should be aware that these philosophies help us in countless ways.

[Body]

Early philosophers could have been up dated by the philosophers of today, but the fact that they have influenced people of the modern days, is something we cannot ignore. By simply studying Philosophy, we are actually trying to understand how people evolve on the way they are thinking. From a simple invention up to the complicated technologies of today, we are evolving. There have been so many influences around us that need to be noticed. By simply studying the past, we are able to advance to the next step. It is our door to enter the future and do better as an individual.

[Conclusion]

Philosophy may have been mistakenly thought to be useless but if you look upon the past, it is actually the reason why we exist as we are today. It is through Philosophy that we begin to understand the past and move forward to a new tomorrow. And through studying Philosophy, we are taking a big step forward in accepting the new age of our own world.

[200 words]

[Edited by Sarah]