Canon Inc. was a special cosponsor of the Second All Japan High School English Speech Contest, organized by ZEN-EI-REN, the national federation of English education research organizations, held at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center on February 8, 2009, continuing the same support provided for the first holding of this contest last year.

This contest’s objectives are to expand the ability of high school students in Japan to express themselves in English, to increase interest in learning English and to cultivate people with a cosmopolitan outlook.

This year as well, high school students with outstanding records of achievement were selected as representative contestants at the prefectural and regional block level competitions held prior to the main contest. These contestants presented highly polished speeches on a variety of subjects, and the first to sixth place winners were decided as a result of rigorous screening.

In concurrence with the aims of this contest, along with supporting the contest as a part of its educational assistance program, Canon donated digital cameras and other products as supplementary prizes.