JETAABC is excited to invite high school students learning Japanese to participate in the Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl. The Japan Bowl® is a Japanese language and culture competition for high school students who are studying Japanese. The Japan-America Society of Washington DC organized and hosted the first Japan Bowl in 1992. The competition has since been expanding overseas and is now held in Poland, England, Italy, Mexico, Serbia, Bulgaria, France, etc. The inaugural Canadian Japan Bowl was held in Vancouver in 2018.
Teams comprise of 2 to 3 members. During the competition, questions are read out verbally in both English and Japanese. The top three teams from the Preliminary Round will proceed to the Championship Round.
Check out this video to get an overview of the Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl.
Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl 2023 Team Registration
Team Applications are to be submitted by the teacher.
Eligibility
Canadian students who study Japanese at the high school level are eligible to compete at the Japan Bowl.
- Students who are native speaker of Japanese or who use Japanese at home are not eligible to compete.
- Students who have had significant exposure to Japanese language and/or culture outside the high school curriculum are not eligible to compete. For example, students who have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in Japan might not be eligible to compete.
Application Process
- Students form teams of two or three.
- Applications are submitted by teachers on behalf of students. Schools may register up to a maximum of TWO teams (this may increase to three, depending on venue capacity). Each team will need to be registered separately. To register, click here.
- Pay competition fees to confirm registration. Link will be found on the registration form.
- Registration Fee: $10 per team until January 31, 2023, then increasing to $20 per team.
Application Deadline: Friday February 24, 2023.
NOTE: Please note that images and videos taken during the event may be used for reports, SNS, etc.
2023 Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl Details
1．Date and Location
- Date: Saturday March 11, 2023.
- Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Center (* May be switched to online, dependent on health regulations)
2．2023 MVJB Topics
Basic Topics:
- Geography
- Map of Japan & major regions
- Climate, natural environment & population
- Location & general information
- Seasons in Japanese culture
- Manners & Body Language (etiquette)
- Daily Customs & Home Life
- Current Events & Canada-Japan Relations
This Year’s Special Topics:
- History: Classical, Medieval Periods 500 CE~1600 CE
- Society: Technology & the Environment (green technology, environmental issues, energy efficiency, sustainability, and carbon reduction)
- Contemporary Culture: Literature (Major genres and examples)
- Special Topic: Manga
- Japan’s Regions- festivals, sites, history, products: Shikoku & Chugoku
Click here for the 2023 Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl Study Guide.
Interested in supporting the competition in other ways?
Organizing Committee & Volunteers
The Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl team is looking for enthusiastic volunteers interested in working with the Organizing Committee to make 2023 Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl a success. Pre-event volunteering is already underway and will continue until the event on March 11. Also, there are still some vacancies for day-of volunteers. Fill in the volunteer form to let us know which area(s) you would be interested in helping out, click here. If you have questions or would like to learn more, email metrovancouverjapanbowl [at] gmail.com.
Event Sponsors & Partners
Would you like to contribute prizes or goody bag items? As a sponsor/partner, your logo would be displayed at the event and in event publications. If you are interested to learn more about the different opportunities or have questions, please email metrovancouverjapanbowl [at] gmail.com.
Performers & Workshop Instructors
In additional to the competition, the day’s programming includes performances by local artists as well as cultural or skill workshops that enrich student’s experience with different aspects of Japanese culture. If you would like to learn more, please email metrovancouverjapanbowl [at] gmail.com.