Supporting 2010 National Japan Bowl in D.C.
On April 8 and 9 2010, the Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASW) held the 18th National Japan
Bowl® in Washington, DC. This year 188 students in 67 teams came from all over the United States:
California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Texas,
and Virginia.
At the National Japan Bowl®, students work in teams of three to answer 100 Preliminary Round questions and practice speaking Japanese during the Conversation Round. The top three teams from each level (Level 2, 3, 4) then move on to the Championship Round on Friday afternoon.
Special guests for 2010 included Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki - Ambassador of Japan, shamisen duo Se-shami Street, dance group ORIENTARYHTHM, karate sisters Rino and Aya Yoshida, photographer Christiana Aretta, the godfather of sudoku Maki Kaji, jazz musician Emi Meyer and actor Shin Koyamada.
Students competed at three levels in a total of 3 preliminary rounds (2 Preliminary Rounds and 1 Conversation
Round). They were challenged by a total of 400 questions at all levels, from Japanese grammar to Japanese
history and culture. After the preliminary rounds, the top three teams at each level advanced to the National
Championship Round. The results are shown on page 4.
On the first night, all participants were welcomed at the Opening Ceremony. They then enjoyed a musical
performance by Se-shami Street, a karate demonstration from the Yoshida Sisters and a hip dance show by
ORIENTARHYTHM. On the second day, they got the chance to view Christiana Aretta’s amazing
photography of Japan, meet Mr Maki Kaji, the “Godfather of Sudoku” from Japan, enjoy a performance by
jazz singer Emi Meyer, and meet with Shin Koyamada, Hollywood star and Goodwill Ambassador of
Okayama Prefecture.
Participating Students and Schools
Bonita Vista High School (CA), Canyon Crest Academy (CA), Cupertino High School (CA), Hilltop Senior High School (CA), Lynbrook High School (CA), Monta Vista High School (CA), Samuel F.B. Morse High School (CA), Saratoga High School (CA), Silver Creek High School (CA) The Harker School (CA), Torrey Pines High School (CA), Center for Global Studies at Brien McMahon High School (CT), St. Alban’s School (DC), Deerfield Beach High School (FL), Miami Palmetto Senior High School (FL),Tampa Bay Technical High School (FL), St. John’s School (GU), Boonsboro High School (MD), Walt Whitman High School (MD), Edina High School (MN), Henry Sibley High School (MN), Classical High School (RI), Liberal Arts and Science Academy (TX), Richardson High School (TX),, The Woodlands High School (TX), The Woodlands College Park High School (TX), Falls Church High School (VA), Langley High School (VA), Oakton High School (VA), Robert E. Lee High School (VA), South Lakes High School (VA), Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA).