The+Australia-Japan+Relations+Essay+Contest

THIRTY-FIRST AUSTRALIA-JAPAN RELATIONS ESSAY CONTEST 2013 The essay contest is conducted by the Embassy of Japan and Consulates-General of Japan in Australia. Students from Years 7 to 12 are eligible to enter. The first place winner in the **Junior B** **and Senior Divisions** will receive a return economy class air ticket to Japan, courtesy of Japan Airlines. In addition, the first place winner in both these divisions will be provided with a 7-day Japan Rail Pass (Ordinary Class) and 3 nights accommodation at Shiba Park Hotel in Tokyo. The first place winner in the **Junior A Division** will receive $300 worth of books from BOOKS Kinokuniya. There will be prizes awarded across the three divisions for “Outstanding Essays” and “Highly Commended Essays”. Each prize winner will also be awarded a certificate and a plaque. The **School of the Year** award will be given to the school with the highest amount of top quality essays. The school will receive $400 worth of books from BOOKS Kinokuniya. The closing date for the 2013 Essay Contest is **Tuesday 20 August 2013**. Here are the essay topics for each division: ** JUNIOR A DIVISION (Years 7-8) [700-1000 words] ** You have been asked to select a person or character to be the new popular culture ambassador of Japan. Who would you choose and why would they be a good international representative for Japan? What features or characteristics of this character best represent aspects of Japanese culture?

** JUNIOR B DIVISION (Years 9-10) [1100-1400 words] ** Compare and discuss a social issue or challenge currently facing youth in Australia and Japan. How are both countries addressing the problem? ** SENIOR DIVISION (Years 11-12) [1500-1800 words] ** Both Australia and Japan are countries where many people enjoy excellent life expectancy. Compare and contrast the factors in each country that influence life expectancy and discuss how these may change in the future.

The important thing about writing an essay for this competition is that the rigid essay structure we use in school does not necessarily apply here. The important thing is that the essay is focused on a particular concept, is persuasive and well-researched.

Some useful sources of information might be:  The essay must be your own work. You can gather information about Japan from books and internet in order to increase your knowledge of Japan, but you must write your essay in your own words. At the same time, it is very important that you **reference the sources of information with footnotes**. Please note that your essay must include a **bibliography**, which is a list of the information sources you have used in your essay. Absence of footnotes and bibliography may result in disqualification.
 * Resources: **
 * your school library and your local library; 
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the Embassy of Japan’s web site at www.au.emb-japan.go.jp 
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Web Japan http://web-japan.org 
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Japan National Tourism Organisation http://www.jnto.org.au/ or
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://jnto.go.jp
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Japan Foundation Sydney Library:http://www.jpf.org.au/library/index.html
 * Important points to remember: **

Here are some samples of past winners:

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">2011 Winner: Senior Division

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">2011 Winner: Junior B Division

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;">2011 Winner: Junior A Division

Further wining entries can be found at: []