The 2015 Japan Bowl® of California was held on Saturday, March 7th at Loyola Marymount University, and was organized by the Japan America Society of Southern California. The Japan Bowl® is a quiz bowl in which high school Japanese students not only face off on their Japanese language skills, but also compete based on their knowledge in a wide variety of areas, including: Japanese culture, history, geography, current events, pop culture, and public figures. The winning team at the Japan Bowl® of California earns the ability to compete in the National Japan Bowl®. The National Japan Bowl® takes place in Washington, D. C. and has been held since 1992. Starting two years ago the event has been held in major cities across the U.S.
This year competitors from five different high schools participated in the Japan Bowl® of California:
- Campbell Hall (Level IV)
- Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Level III & IV)
- Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (Level III & IV)
- Stevenson School (Level III & IV)
- Venice High School (Level IV)
Student teams composed of 2-3 students vied at two different levels (3 & 4): Corresponding to 3rd and 4th year/AP Japanese language classes. During the championship round a panel of celebrity judges employed the “maru/batsu” system to determine correct answers, and a toss-up question section required quick wit and quick reflexes as contestants buzzed in to respond.
Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi spoke during the Closing Ceremony and presented trophies to the championship round teams. Another Consulate General of Japan Los Angeles representative served as an English Moderator during the whole day competition.
This year’s first place winner in Level III and IV was Stevenson School (Pebble Beach, CA). Stevenson School will be continuing on to compete in the National Japan Bowl® in Washington, D.C. next month. At the National Japan Bowl® the winning team for Level 4 will be awarded a trip to Japan.
For more information about Japan Bowl®, please visit: www.jas-socal.org/JapanBowl |
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