About the Essay Contests

JSS holds essay and thesis writing competitions for young people in China and Japan.

Through the event, we aim to promote understanding of Japan among Chinese youth and understanding of China among Japanese youth.

Contests Held

The Sasakawa Cup “Know Japan through Books” Essay Contest (held in China)

This is a competition for young people from all over China to submit book reports on Japan, and has been held in both Japanese and Chinese since fiscal year 2016. An 8-day visit to Japan is offered to those with outstanding results.


Main sponsor:
Asia-Pacific Publicity Center of the Chinese Bureau of Foreign Affairs (People’s China Magazine), Japan Science Association, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library
Special Sponsor:
The Nippon Foundation

The Sasakawa Cup Japanese Studies Essay Competition (held in China)

This is a research paper competition on Japan launched in 2018 and is open to undergraduate students majoring in Japanese language at Chinese universities. Students are judged on the basis of their paper writing and presentation.We offer an 8-day visit to Japan for those with outstanding results.


Main sponsors:
Japan Science Society, Chinese Society for the Study of Japanese Language Teaching, Jilin University

Panda Cup All-Japan Youth Essay Contest (held in Japan)

This is an essay contest about China for Japanese youth, launched in 2014. We offer an 8-day visit to China for those with outstanding results.


Main sponsors:
Japan Science Society, Asia-Pacific Publicity Center of the Chinese Bureau of Foreign Affairs (People's China Magazine), Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan
Supported by:
China International Publishing Group, China-Japan Friendship Association, Japan-China Friendship Association, Japan-China Friendship Center
Special Support:
The Nippon Foundation, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
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