International borders may be closed, but it hasn’t stopped Orange and Japanese Sister City Ushiku from strengthening their 30-year relationship.

Last week, 16 students from James Sheahan High School took part in the Ushiku Cup — a Japanese language speech competition named for the Sister City. The competition began in 2015 as a way to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the special relationship between the two cities.

“We just have this really beautiful strong connection with our cities and our schools both here and in Ushiku,” said James Sheahan Japanese teacher Helen Clarke.

“We take the kids on exchange to Japan and we receive visitors from Japan regularly, but this is another aspect where we can become connected while not actually go to each other countries — which in this climate with COVID is perfect — it is a nice way to still establish a connection.”

The competition is normally an interschool event held at the Orange City Council Chambers, but with the uncertainty around groups gathering during a pandemic, James Sheahan proceeded with a smaller competition on school grounds.

There are three categories in the Ushiku Cup: Juniors (Years 7 and 8); Seniors (Years 9 and 10) and Open ( Year 11 students).

“The juniors read a folk story in Japanese, they have to read it out using Japanese script and everything and this years' one is Tom Thumb — Issun-boshi in Japanese,” said Helen.

“In the senior division they're reading a folktale called Princess Kaguya, which is a famous tradition Japanese folk story and then the open students have had enough Japanese learning that they actually make their own speeches —this year's topic is my school, which is actually also an HSC topic so it marries in well with what they are doing for their HSC preparations.

Each student speaks for around two minutes and is judged by a local panel and a guest Judge from Ushiku.

“Our Japanese judge is watching the contest this year via Zoom. So they are sitting in Ushiku City Council Chambers and they tune in and watch the contest and get to meet our kids.”

The competition was opened by Orange City Mayor Reg Kidd, who has strong ties to Ushiku, thanks to the Sister City program.

“I look forward to this every year,” said Cr Kidd. “I've been involved with Ushiku visits for years and I've entertained three mayors at my house. My wife was a teacher here for many years and she's been there six times and we've had students at our home right through to when all my kids left home and then we had all the teachers stay.

“I think this is fantastic and I admire the kids for learning a very difficult language.”