Summary
Junior high students from the Shiribeshi region compete in the local round of Japan's national Shonen no Shucho speech contest, addressing social issues in their own words.
The Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau has announced the 2026 Shiribeshi regional round of Shonen no Shucho (The Youth’s Assertion), Japan’s long-running national junior-high-school speech contest, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice.
About the contest
Junior high school students prepare original speeches on issues they consider important – typical themes range from bullying and human rights to environmental protection and community identity. Winners of regional rounds advance to prefectural and then national finals.
Why it matters
The contest is one of Japan’s most established channels for hearing directly from teenagers about the country’s social questions. Regional rounds like Shiribeshi’s give rural communities an equal footing with Sapporo-area students in shaping the national conversation.
For international readers
Shonen no Shucho dates back to 1979 and is co-sponsored by the National Federation of Human Rights Volunteers. Its recorded speeches provide a candid window into how Japanese youth articulate contemporary concerns.
Source: Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau press release, July 24, 2026.
Source Details
| Source | Hokkaido Government - Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau |
|---|---|
| Original Title | 令和8年度「少年の主張」後志地区大会について |
| Original Published | 2026-07-24 |
| Region | shiribeshi |
| Target Reader | general |
| Review Status | reviewed |
| Risk Level | normal |
| Original Source | Hokkaido Government - Shiribeshi General Subprefectural Bureau |
Editor Note
Confirm exact venue and finalist list before publication if desired.