The National Speech Contest for Students of Schools for the Blind and Visually Impaired, for which the Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee has been a special sponsor since 2003, was held on October 3, 2025, at Gifu Prefectural Gifu School for the Blind.
The speech contest has a long, distinguished history going all the way back to its inception in 1928. This year’s contest was the 93rd. At the national contest, held before a large audience, the nine finalists—aged 12 to 36 and selected from seven regions across Japan—spoke passionately in their own words about how they face their disabilities, their dreams for the future, their sense of purpose, and the gratitude they feel.
Ms. Hanamura began by reflecting on how dreams and leisure are experienced differently by people with and without sight. She enjoys her favorite anime not through visuals but through the voices. It has been 15 years since she lost her sight as a child, and she now regards her blindness as neither a plus nor a minus. “I can live even without sight,” she said. “I have my own way of seeing and enjoying things.”
On the other hand, when she is praised for her skillful use of chopsticks—something she mastered through persistent practice—she finds herself unable to accept the compliment wholeheartedly. She can’t help thinking, “They’re only judging me by a low standard. They think it’s amazing because a blind person can even hold chopsticks.”
Ms. Hanamura also has her dreams. She wants to be able to walk with confidence even in unfamiliar places. She wants to try visiting various shops on her own. She explains that what matters in a dream is not the scale but the authenticity—how true it is to oneself—and encourages others to affirm their own dreams. She ended her speech by asking the audience, “What kind of dreams do you have?”
Ms. Mitsuyo Kusano, a freelance announcer who served as a special judge, offered comments and praise to each of the speakers for their heartfelt speeches. Her gentle, conversational manner created a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
This was the 22nd year that the Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee has served as a special sponsor of the speech contest. The Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee’s activities are inspired by the Group message, “Passing important values from people to people.”
We are honored to support this contest, which inspires and empowers through the spoken word, and we remain committed to contributing to its continued success.
Click here to read about previous National Speech Contests for Students of Schools for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
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