Islamabad: Mr. ITO Takeshi, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan, graced the 13th KAKE Speech Contest held in Islamabad on October 1st. The event, showcasing the linguistic prowess of participants in the Japanese language, garnered praise from Mr. ITO for its role in fostering a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and language.
During the event, Mr. ITO extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants for their exceptional speeches in Japanese. He highlighted the contest’s significance in motivating individuals to enhance their knowledge of the Japanese language, emphasizing its importance as the number of enthusiasts continues to grow in Pakistan.
Notably, this year’s event carries particular weight as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, celebrated last year, and the upcoming 70th anniversary of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) dedication.
Mr. ITO expressed gratitude to the KAKE Educational Institute, alongside other educational institutions and teachers, for their relentless efforts to promote the study of the Japanese language in Pakistan. These efforts have contributed to the surge of interest in the language.
The KAKE Institute announced that it will grant scholarships to the top three participants in the contest, a gesture aimed at further encouraging the pursuit of Japanese language proficiency. Additionally, the first-place winner will have the unique opportunity to represent Pakistan in the International Grand Speech Contest scheduled for November 2023, elevating the event’s prestige even further.
The 13th KAKE Speech Contest stands as a testament to the growing affinity between Pakistan and Japan, not only in diplomacy and development assistance but also in the mutual appreciation of culture and language. The event serves as a symbol of the strong bond between the two nations and their shared commitment to promoting educational and cultural exchanges.

Faisal Azfar Alvi is a journalist, lawyer, poet, and author with over a decade of experience in media and policy analysis. As Editor and Senior Correspondent of The CatchLine and the Urdu daily Muballigh, he combines legal insight with compelling storytelling to cover key issues shaping Pakistan and the world. His expertise includes climate change, economic policy, sustainable development, and international relations, with a focus on ethical journalism and inclusive discourse. Faisal is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices and fostering informed debate to drive positive change.