We’ve compiled a collection of two- to three-minute speech examples for a variety of topics and situations. Each speech centers on a specific topic, provides deep insight for the audience, and is easily relatable.
Energize your hobby!
Hello, everyone. Studying is hard, isn’t it? Sometimes it makes me sad to see you all exhausted. I can’t wait for this time to pass and you’ll be able to enjoy your youth in a more freeing place. This is a painful time for everyone. I just hope you’re all wise enough to enjoy it.
You know the saying: If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it. Sometimes that quote is all we need to get us through, but how do we enjoy it? There may be times when just looking at a textbook can be frustrating, and no matter how hard you try to enjoy it, you just can’t. How do you get that knot in your stomach and get back to studying?
Let me ask you a question: what are your hobbies, do you even have any? Most of you will probably say that you don’t have a hobby, which is why you feel even more frustrated. You know you have to study, but you have nowhere to release the stress that comes with studying. If you had a hobby, you would release that frustration.
Having a hobby can help you energize your life. You’re a student who needs to study, but you’re not a studying machine, and studying all the time without a break won’t make you more efficient. Start a hobby today. A simple pastime will do. Badminton is good, Go is good, cycling is good, jogging is good – just something that you love that allows you to take your mind off of your studies and focus on something else. If you can de-stress about your studies with something you love, you’ll be much better off than if you’re a cranky student covered in frustration.
In fact, hobbies are more than just something to pass the time; they’re an important part of your quality of life. For example, if your hobby is listening to or playing music, it can help you release emotions. The same goes for painting or writing – creative activities like these can calm your mind and provide an outlet for self-expression, which can help relieve stress.
Physical activity, such as sports, is also very effective at relieving mental fatigue. Working up a sweat makes you feel more energized and lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which calms your mind. This physical activity doesn’t just relieve stress, it also builds stamina, which gives you the energy you need for schoolwork.
Hobbies also play an important role in strengthening social connections. While solitary hobbies are great, choosing a hobby that you can do with other people can help you meet new people, build relationships, and have more fun in the process. Doing a hobby with friends is an invaluable opportunity to bond and positively influence each other.
I think your age is the most beautiful time in a person’s life, and I think it’s so harsh to be forced to study when you’re so green. I want to brighten your days a little bit. It may not seem like a big deal, but that little bit of joy can really energize your life, and it can help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.
Finally, the energy you get from your hobbies won’t just improve your academic performance, it will contribute to your overall quality of life. So start a small hobby today. Your life will be more enjoyable, and your future will be brighter because of it.
Take a step towards your dreams!
Dear students, you are living in the age of globalization. The world is changing rapidly, and in order to adapt to and lead that change, it’s important to do more than just stick to the tasks at hand – it’s important to have a firm grasp on your own dreams and goals. By now, you know how important it is to cultivate and nurture your dreams and personalized skills. The first step to achieving your dreams starts with understanding yourself and realizing what truly makes you happy.
People have dreams and passions, and whether they’re small, big, or different, it’s beautiful to see them grow. The smiles of people who are living their dreams are bright and radiant. As you work towards your own dreams, you’ll realize how valuable the process itself is – even if the dream doesn’t come true, the process of working towards it is enough to make you happy. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, and that’s what drives you through life.
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘dreams are just ideals’, but that’s not true. Dreams are like a compass in our lives, showing us which direction we should go. There are some great people who pushed themselves to their limits to pursue their dreams. Let’s take Vincent van Gogh as an example. “Vincent van Gogh was born in the Netherlands in 1853. As a young boy, he was a wild and rebellious boy. His only pleasure was painting. Although there were always adversity and hardship, he never gave up painting. As time went on, life became more difficult, but he painted more passionately.
“Gogh’s life is not just that of a painter, but of a human being who constantly challenges himself to pursue his dreams. His famous works, such as “The Potato Eaters,” “Sunflowers,” “Orchards,” and “Portraits,” are a reflection of his life. Although his life was tragically cut short, his works continue to touch the hearts of many people who love art today, even after 37 years of hardship. Throughout his life, Vincent van Gogh poured his passion into his paintings, depicting the pain and joy of his life, and he never compromised and worked tirelessly towards his own unique artistic world.
I find the life and passion of 『Gogh』, who strives for his dream of painting his favorite paintings and does not compromise with the world, beautiful and wonderful. In a complicated life, sometimes we forget what our dreams are and what we want to do. But only those who don’t forget their dreams and keep trying will eventually get closer to them. Sometimes you may get frustrated, and you may fail. But you have to keep moving towards your dreams. If you keep moving towards your dreams and passions, little by little, your life will become vibrant and beautiful. I think that’s what changes our lives: the effort to move towards our dreams, one step at a time.
Like Gogh, you should never lose your passion for your dreams. Your potential and passion have the power to change the world. Even if you can’t see it right now, if you keep moving towards your dreams, one day they will become a reality in front of you. No matter how big or small your dreams are, I hope you realize how precious they are and keep working hard to make them come true.
Sharing for the future, sharing for the juniors!
Hello, dear alumni of ○○ High School. My name is ○○○, an 8th year graduate of ○○ High School and the president of the Alumni Association. This is the 39th graduating class of ○○ High School. Our school’s reputation and pride are timeless. Our school remains a respected educational institution, thanks to all of you, our alumni, who continue to honor the name of our school.
Looking back, I don’t think I had much of a sense of pride in my school when I was in school. I was just playing with my friends, studying, competing, and occasionally gossiping about my teachers behind their backs. But now that time has passed, I realize how precious those memories are and how they have shaped me into the person I am today. It’s been a long time, but I’m sure many alumni feel the same way.
When I see alumni on the news or in the newspaper, I am encouraged. Successful alumni keep me busy bragging about them. I realize that we share the same sign as successful alumni, we share the same name, and that’s an important thread that binds us together. Hearing about alumni who are doing great things in the world is a great motivation for other alumni, and it makes me feel even stronger that we are all one big family.
So, I’d like to propose an agenda: what do you think of the idea of sponsoring a younger generation? Not just sponsoring with your heart, but with your actions. We’d like to raise a certain amount of money to create a scholarship or sponsorship fund for financially needy juniors or for new facilities at the school. Beyond just monetary support, these scholarships would be a valuable message to the juniors, reminding them that the seniors are always supporting them.
This scholarship will be especially meaningful to juniors who are excelling academically but struggling financially. These are the people who will lead our school and society in the future. If we help them grow, we can create a virtuous cycle that will enable them to contribute to the school and society as adults. This is not just about helping our juniors, but also about brightening our own future.
○○ The alumni standing committee has already come up with a number of specific proposals for donations. In addition to scholarships, we’re looking at ways to support academic research at the school and the development of new educational programs. But none of this would be possible without the support of our alumni, and I ask you to remember that our small contributions can make a big difference.
When I think about it, it is only us alumni who can empower and pull our juniors along, so please support this scholarship proposal. We will announce the details on the school bulletin board, and the vote for and against the proposal will be held a few days after the post is announced. It may be a sensitive matter, so we want to think about it carefully. I hope that the ○○ High School Alumni Association can become a senior organization that juniors can look up to. I hope that there will be a good result for this proposal. Thank you.
The essence of education and equal opportunity to learn!
hello. This is Superintendent ○○○, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the principals of each high school for coming out here in the hot weather. I think it shows your enthusiasm for our students.
I would like to make a few remarks about the current education system. First of all, I would like to criticize the current education system, which focuses on selecting honor students instead of helping the weakest students. This is not what education is all about, and it doesn’t provide equitable access to true learning opportunities for all students. Education shouldn’t be about creating one honor student, it should be about helping every student reach their full potential.
It’s unfortunate that the current system doesn’t segregate classes and tailor instruction to their characteristics, but instead sees them as a “get out of jail free card.” Students can feel stigmatized when they learn they’re in a low- or high-ability group, which can lead to a decrease in their motivation to learn. This can have a serious impact on their self-esteem, not just their academic performance.
I would like to see mixed-ability groups become the norm as a way to address these issues. Lower ability students lack the ability to receive unsupervised learning and tend to disrupt each other. Teachers are also less likely to challenge students who are not performing well, so grouping by ability can have harmful social effects. When students of different abilities are brought together to learn and grow together, they can positively influence each other. This will play an important role not only in learning, but also in building social relationships.
We can no longer segregate students based on their abilities, but instead create an environment where all students can learn at their own pace and in their own way. In the process, students must be given the opportunity to grow together, respecting the value of those who are different from them.
Our society is made up of many different people. Currently, Japan is led by the top few percent. But the disruption caused by this is so significant that it is no longer fixable. The lower classes are losing hope in life due to their relative deprivation. This is no doubt influenced by the fond memories of being segregated as children in school. We accept the current society without any criticism because that’s how we were educated. But it’s not just the education system that we need to change, it’s the inequality and discrimination that pervades our society as a whole. Education is the starting point, and through education we can create a more equal and fair society.
We are all in this together. We need to fix the current state of education so that the right society can emerge. We look forward to your cooperation. Thank you.
The Hurt and Responsibility of Badmouthing
Hello, everyone. Japan’s comment culture is infamous, and of course, it’s because of bad words. This is not just a Japanese problem, but a phenomenon that is spreading around the world. While there are many theories as to why it is so prevalent, there is no doubt that it is a uniquely Japanese phenomenon.
The culture is tied to the anonymity of the internet. As the internet has evolved, people have been able to express their opinions without ever seeing a face, which has been both positive and negative. People are less accountable when they say something hurtful, which makes it easier for them to do so.
Think about the culture of relationships. When it comes to real relationships, whether it’s with family, classmates, or close acquaintances, no one is nicer than the Japanese. But when it comes to the internet, Japanese people change. It’s like they have two faces: they’re polite inside, which anyone can agree is a unique Japanese trait, but when they go outside, they change. An example of this is Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The good side of you comes out when you’re talking to people face-to-face, and the bad side of you comes out when you’re not.
That’s what makes abusive comments such a serious social problem. What starts out as a simple prank or humorous comment can be deeply hurtful to someone. This culture of abuse can be harmful not only to the victim, but also to the perpetrator. People who vent their anger or frustration through badmouthing also end up reinforcing their own negative feelings. This is harmful to their mental health and can have a negative impact on society as a whole.
Psychiatrists often give the advice that the best way to recover from the hurt of abuse is to become desensitized. This has two implications. That you should neutralize the hurt and not let it affect you too much. That the only people who are abusive are immature children or inferior adults. That the best way to deal with abusers is to calm yourself down. But even this advice has its limits. Different people have different levels of sensitivity, so desensitization isn’t an effective solution for everyone. We also need to try to address the problem of abuse on a societal level.
The fact that people’s words hurt is a testament to the power of words. Words are powerful in and of themselves. Positive words can brighten someone’s life, but negative words can leave deep scars. If I had an account with my name and everything I wrote on the web was public, with my full name and birth date and address, would I be able to say anything bad? Of course not.
It reminds me of the painful past, when I lived in a dictatorship where I couldn’t have a culture of accountability in my own name. The wounds are not yet healed, and it’s up to us to write cleanly under our own names. The little things we can do will add up to a better internet culture. Thank you for listening.
The responsibility begins now!
Students, today I’d like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on accountability. Do you take responsibility for your own work? Or do you have the idea that it’s okay to neglect anything, because someone else will take care of it for you? Maybe we don’t want to be responsible because we’re still students. Maybe we’ve shied away from the heavy weight of responsibility because we have parents who care and take care of us, or teachers we can always turn to for advice.
But there’s something we shouldn’t overlook. Responsibility permeates every aspect of our lives, and it’s not just something we need when we’re older, it’s something we need to start cultivating now. It’s not just something we need later in life, it’s something that plays a role in the little things we do now. If you don’t feel responsible now, you’re more likely to panic or shirk responsibility when you’re faced with greater responsibilities in the future.
We are young adults, capable of making our own judgments, and soon to be adults, so when we leave school and enter the workforce, there will be a myriad of things that we will eventually have to take responsibility for. But instead of trying to become responsible later, why not start taking responsibility for the small things we do now?
Accountability doesn’t happen overnight. It’s like a muscle, something that needs to be used and trained day in and day out to get stronger. For example, accountability in school to do what you set out to do. Accountability to keep your promises to your parents. Accountability to do what you set out to do today. If you take all of these things one by one and slowly build them up, you’ll become a more reliable person who others can trust.
Responsibility is also an important factor in building stronger relationships with others. Responsible people inspire trust in others, and trust leads to better relationships. When we look around us, we see that people who act responsibly are always respected, and the tasks they take on are always successful. This responsible attitude will make our lives richer and more meaningful later in life.
I try to be the kind of person who takes responsibility for my own work, starting with the smallest things. If we don’t take responsibility, we tend to slack off on everything. If you don’t do your best, you’re not only not improving yourself, but you’re also passing the buck to someone else. In the future, when you’re in the workforce, you’ll be recognized for taking responsibility for your work and getting it done. I think that if you and I live a responsible life, it will become a habit that will help us a lot later in life.
Responsibility isn’t just a virtue for personal fulfillment, it’s something we must have as members of a community. Societies are made up of responsible individuals, and a healthy, thriving society is only possible when everyone does their part. Responsibility allows us to be better versions of ourselves and to build a better society.
Thank you for listening to me so far. Let’s all take responsibility for what we do from now on, and use our best judgment. It’s these small actions that will eventually make a big difference. Thank you.
Equality starts with me!
Dear Students, The other day I came across a documentary about racism. I was surprised to see that racism still exists in our society, and it made me think a lot after realizing that it happens in many places.
Racism is more than just judging someone based on the color of their skin or where they come from, it’s the act of evaluating a person’s worth based on external factors rather than their intrinsic humanity. Not only does it severely undermine an individual’s self-esteem, but it’s a huge problem that hinders the healthy development of society as a whole. We may often think that racism is a problem of the past, but the reality is that it is not. In Korea today, there are many instances in society where people look down on others because their skin color is different from their own, because they live in a different country, and because they are of a different race. They have inflicted physical and mental violence on others because they were born in a poorer country or a different race than them, even though they have done no harm to them.
It’s ironic that at a time when we’re becoming more civilized, more advanced, and moving towards greater human happiness and convenience, basic human rights are not being upheld. The technology we use and the conveniences we enjoy are the result of the hard work and cooperation of people from different backgrounds over a long period of time. However, inequality and discrimination still exist behind these advancements, and it’s something we need to address. Furthermore, the perpetrators don’t seem to feel guilty about the actions they’re taking that disregard the human rights of others, but rather take them for granted.
So why are they so intent on perpetuating racism and trampling on the rights of others? Personally, I believe we are all born the same human being, whether we are born in a well-off Korea or not, from the moment we see the light of the world in our mother’s womb, we all have the same rights as human beings, but some people seem to think they are superior. They believe they are a superior race, and they feel that in order for them to be in a special position above anyone else, there must be someone below them. This is an irrational way of thinking that tears down others to elevate oneself, and it’s this attitude that leads to social problems like racism.
If this continues, society will become increasingly barren and filled with suspicion and personal selfishness. Instead of a society where everyone is equal, it will be a society where a few powerful people take advantage of the many and rob others of their happiness. This will be a great loss for all of us. In a society where diversity is not respected, creativity and progress are limited, which can lead to a lower quality of life for all of us. In order for this behavior to disappear, I believe we must start by treating others as equals, without disregarding their interests.
Even if the other person is less educated, even if they are of a different race, even if they are not wealthy, we should have the idea that everyone is an equal human being. The basic humanity and courtesy that a person has for another person can work across all races and generations. Even if you don’t know the language of their Korea, if you have affection for them and think of them as someone who lives in the same global village, they will have affection for you. When we understand and respect each other, we will be able to create a truly equal society.
Let’s all do our part to prevent the racism that still exists in our society and the violence against minorities that is often unnoticed. We must never forget that we are one humanity, and we all have the same rights. Let’s take action, starting today, to build a society that works together.
The challenge of finding a new path!
The idea of a lifelong career is no longer relevant. Interests change every day, and many young people don’t even think about utilizing their majors. The number of people who are not satisfied with one job is increasing, but we still dream of stability.
Finding a stable job in the modern world is a goal many people pursue, but in the age of lifelong careers, finding a niche and establishing yourself as an expert is not as easy as it sounds. The notion of a stable job is increasingly shaky, and new careers are emerging at a pace that has never been seen before. But on the flip side, specialization can be an unparalleled competitive advantage in this era of change. When thinking about your career, I encourage you to dream up a challenge in a new field at least once in your life – even if you don’t end up going into that field, it will help you build a broad and diverse knowledge base.
In this vein, it’s important to recognize some of the lesser-known careers that are gaining traction. Have you ever heard of a chocolatier? It’s the person who turns chocolate into a work of art. People are becoming increasingly interested in making their own chocolate, and as the demand for handmade chocolate grows, chocolatiers are expected to be in high demand. But chocolatiers aren’t the only unfamiliar profession. As the pace of change in society accelerates, other unfamiliar professions are emerging, such as news clippers, lottery designers, idea brokers, one-man bands, and community gardeners.
For example, community gardeners are responsible for maintaining green spaces in cities and teaching people about the importance of nature. These jobs are not just about making money, but about making a positive impact on society, which is more rewarding. So, when people think about careers, they often plan to go into familiar fields that are widely recognized, while young people may dream of specializing or joining a large corporation. However, if you look closely, you’ll be surprised to find that there are many unfamiliar yet competitive careers like the ones above.
It takes courage to pursue these unfamiliar careers. First and foremost, you need to think deeply about what you want to do. The static behavior of blindly choosing a popular major because everyone else is graduating, and you’re going to graduate too, will only lead to regret. What if it’s an unfamiliar profession? You could be the founder of that profession and break new ground. There’s something to be said for being the first generation, and paving the way for those who will come after you. Someone has to start somewhere, and you can take pride in being that first.
Finally, I encourage you to dive in and don’t give up because you’re scared. There’s always going to be stress in any job, whether it’s voluntary or involuntary, so why not make it more meaningful when it’s something you choose to do? After all, your life is what you create, and you need to have the courage to take responsibility for the consequences of your choices. At this moment, I don’t know where the challenge of venturing into an unfamiliar field will lead me, but the experience and knowledge I will gain along the way will surely contribute greatly to my growth. Thank you, everyone, for listening.
Kazuo Inamori’s life and philosophy!
If we look at life as an 80-year old, the first 20 years of life are the preparation period for entering society. The main stages during this period are school and home. This period forms the foundation of our lives and is a crucial stage in determining our values and attitudes, so how we spend this time can make a big difference in the rest of our lives.
The next 40 years are a time of hard work, where we hone ourselves to serve society to the best of our abilities, while striving to fulfill our dreams and goals. It’s also a time of constant challenge and achievement, and it’s the center of our lives.
Kazuo Inamori considers the last 20 years to be a period of preparation for death, and he believes in leaving the temple at the age of 65. During this time, it is important to teach the younger generation based on your experience and wisdom, reflect on your own life, and spend the remaining time meaningfully.
Sometimes I think to myself, I wish I had a lot of wealth to pass on to my parents. I think about it on the bumpy bus ride home from work when I’m being harassed by my boss, but I have to be realistic, so I pull myself back together and get ready for work the next day. I guess the formula “what belongs to the parents is what belongs to the children” is deeply embedded in my head.
However, in Japan, there is a man who has lived a different life. Kazuo Inamori once said, “There is no adversity in the world that can defeat me,” and he showed us how he took a company he founded at the age of twenty-seven with a capital investment of three million yen and grew it into one of the world’s top 100 companies. Kazuo Inamori didn’t just grow his company, he created a unique management style called “amoeba management,” which has become an inspiration to business leaders around the world. Today, many business leaders in Japan and around the world study the Kyocera Group to learn from his management philosophy.
Inamori is famous for his decision not to pass on his company to his children but to entrust it to professional managers. He chose the future of his company over his family for the sake of corporate sustainability. This decision has left a lasting impression on many business leaders and has set a new paradigm for corporate management.
He also donated a significant portion of his fortune during the recent earthquake in Japan. He never said how much, which is very typical of Inamori. His humility in fulfilling his social responsibility through donations, but not flaunting it, is an inspiration to many.
As he often says, “The shroud has no pockets.” Even if you’ve amassed a fortune in your lifetime, you shouldn’t go to the next world empty-handed. The ancients also said that life after death is a bonus, so his attitude is right on target. With this in mind, he has never hesitated to give back to society everything he’s achieved. It’s more than just a donation, it’s an expression of his sincere desire to pass on the wisdom he’s gained through his life to future generations.
I can’t help but think of Kazuo Inamori, who is currently practicing abandonment in the wake of the Hanjin Heavy Industries crisis. His philosophy and actions are still inspiring many, and his way of life is a great lesson for us all.
Runner-up strategy: the triumph of the unstoppable horse!
Who was the first man to reach the moon? Neil Armstrong, of course. But who was the second man to reach the moon? The world’s first metal printing press was the Zodiac. What was the second? The tallest mountain in the world is Everest, so what’s the second tallest? As you might expect, “second” is always hard.
As much as we don’t like to admit it, the management mantra “only the first to the top survives” often turns out to be true. At least in the human consciousness. The first something is remembered by everyone, but second place is easily forgotten. The same is true for consumers. The first, biggest, and most dominant player in any space dominates the consumer consciousness. Being first is important. At young people’s drinking parties, stories of first loves are enough to get a laugh, but second loves are rarely mentioned. That’s why marketing godfather Jack Trout wrote in his book Positioning, “Marriage is not so much about being with the best person as it is about being with the first relatively good person. To succeed, you must understand the importance of being the first to enter the other person’s mind.”
The same is true for business relationships. To be successful in business, it’s important to get into the mind of your target customer before anyone else, and then do everything you can to make sure they don’t change their mind. This begs the question: How do you stay in second place? Well, there is a way, and some companies have already shown us how. It’s called the anti-horse strategy.
In the US car rental market, the number one player has always been Hertz. Many other car rental companies, including Avis, were all similarly sized, but they performed far worse than Hertz and were always in the red. That changed when Avis came up with a very creative marketing slogan, “We Work Harder.” The message was “We’re always number two, so why do consumers use us? Because we work harder.” At a time when no one else was getting anywhere near, let alone catching up to, No. 1, Avis boldly embraced their second place status and associated themselves with No. 1. What may seem like a modest strategy of admitting second place was actually ambitious. It was an ambitious strategy because they were aligning themselves with the number one company, which no one else was doing.
In the end, Avis turned around and began to grow after this campaign, while Hertz was forced to fight back with the marketing slogan: “There’s Hertz, and then there’s not.” This is a common strategy for second-place companies to grow.
Finally, there’s one thing that successful second-place companies that have adopted a strategy that works for them, whether it’s jockeying or organizing, must remember. It’s to never forget what made them successful in the first place. The fact that Avis started with the marketing slogan, “We’re going to be number one,” only to see its business stagnate again gives us a lot to think about.
Thanks for listening.
