2025/6/28(土)*SMC*

Table Topic Speech

(1) What makes you smile?

(2) Would you rather have less work or more work you actually enjoy doing?

(3) What can money not buy?

(4) If I could grant you one wish what would you wish for?

(5) Would you break the law to save a loved one?

(6) What is your greatest challenge?

(7) Is it possible to lie without saying a word?

(8) What is the difference between innocence and ignorance?

Prepared Speech

(1) The Way of Learning English: SM Eda

Musashi was trying hard to master swordsmanship, although he said he was half way through at his last breath.

 Kei san is far ahead of us in the way of mastering  English. He stopped teaching, yet he is still enthusiastic in the way of English. The time will come when I stop teaching. I wonder if I have the same zeal when the time comes. However, I'd like to speak, listen to, write and read  English.  Not grammar or spelling.

(2) The Way of Learning English - Part 2: SM M.G

(3) Do you know ChatGPT?: SM Ishimura

Today, I want to start with a simple question: Do you know ChatGPT?ChatGPT is what we call an “AI chatbot.” That means it’s a computer program designed to talk with people—just like you and me. It can answer questions, help write stories, translate languages, and even tell you jokes. Whether they’re good jokes or not... well, that depends on your sense of humor!

Now, let me break down the name. “Chat” means conversation. And “GPT” stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer.” I know—that sounds super technical! But basically, it means it learned from tons of text on the internet and now it can generate answers in a very natural way.

So how do people use ChatGPT?Some students use it to help with homework. Writers use it to brainstorm ideas. Some people even use it just to have a fun chat when they’re feeling bored. It’s like having a very curious, very polite assistant in your pocket—who never sleeps!

But here’s something interesting: ChatGPT doesn’t think or feel like a human. It doesn’t understand the world the way we do—it just recognizes patterns in language and responds based on what it learned. So while it can be helpful, it’s important to remember that it’s not always right, and it doesn’t replace real human creativity or judgment.

For me, I think ChatGPT is a great tool to explore. It makes learning more interactive and fun. And I believe it can help us improve our English, too!

So the next time someone asks, “Do you know ChatGPT?”You can smile and say, “Oh yes, I do—and I even gave a speech about it!”

(4) Watering Plants: SM Kaneko

 Recently, I’ve been watering plants more often. Because of the extreme heat this early summer, the water dries up quickly. One of my watering cans also has a problem—it leaks, and I sometimes end up watering my own foot! So, I decided to buy a new one and visited the supermarket near my house. Unfortunately, they were sold out, and the store clerk told me it wasn’t clear when new ones would arrive.

  The next day, on my way to Machida by bike to attend another English circle, I saw a hobby farmer working in a field. Nearby was a light truck, and on its rear platform, I spotted a watering can. It was larger than mine, and I thought it would be better than a standard one because it would save both time and effort.

  After the class, I visited Tokyu Hands to look for a watering can. Luckily, I found a larger one. It even had a filter to prevent clogging—another issue I had with my old cans. I bought it and felt very satisfied with my choice.

(5) Japanese Culture's Global Reach: K. Narisawa

Japanese culture has become popular worldwide, and we should be proud. Its influence is evident in food, mascots, and anime. Foods like ramen and sushi are well known, and now soba, udon, and even seaweed have become familiar abroad, despite initial hesitations about their appearance.

Mascots like Hello Kitty symbolize Japan's cultural impact, comparable to America’s Mickey Mouse. Not all countries have such widely recognized characters. Even a Hello Kitty guitar was instantly recognized in a 

viral YouTube video.

Anime also plays a major role. Original Japanese versions and songs like Yoasobi’s “Idol” are more loved 

than their English counterparts, prompting many to learn Japanese.

In 2024, about 36 million tourists visited Japan, with many sharing their experiences online. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube are key to spreading awareness and appreciation of Japanese culture across the 

globe.

(6) Under the Starry Sky (満天の星の下で) (Sub-title: Flash Mob Panic): SM Koizumi

 I’ve stood on stage twice before in my life.　It was during one of those stage performances that I met Miyoko Ban—she played the role of Catherine(カトリーヌ).　Off stage, she runs a small pub in Itabashi called Masaya, and on stage, she was warm and bold.　Out of the blue, she told me, “I’ll be in a movie soon—please come watch it.”　 The film was set to premiere on June 20th at 6:30 p.m., and there’d be a stage greeting beforehand.

I quickly bought a ticket online and rushed to Human Trust Cinema in Shibuya on the evening of the 20th.

 The venue was on the 8th floor of the Cocoti building near Miyashita Park.  At 6:30, the greeting began and lasted about 20 minutes.　Four people appeared: lead actress Erika Denya, Shun Tawarayama from the comedy duo School Zone, actor Toshiki Seto, and the director Masato Hyuga.　It was a little bit regrettable that veteran actor Naoto Takenaka and Miyoko Ban were not there, though.

 The movie, sub-titled Flash Mob Panic, tells the unpredictable story of Aimi (played by Denya) and her boyfriend Norio (Tawarayama).　It’s a mix of romantic comedy and absurdity, yet it feels strangely familiar—like it could almost happen in real life.　When Norio and Aimi hit a rough patch, he storms off to a bar where he meets a bizarre monk in a bralette, played by Naoto Takenaka.　Then, out of nowhere, enters Mademoiselle Kitagawa, a mysterious “side-job legend(内職レジェンド)” played by none other than Miyoko Ban.　The plot is chaotic and impossible to explain—but it works. It’s funny. It’s charming. It’s just... delightfully strange.

 I kept watching all the way through the end credits, hoping for one thing:　Would Miyoko Ban’s name appear? And there it was.　“Mademoiselle Kitagawa – Catherine Miyoko.”

 Now, the title Under the Starry Sky doesn’t directly connect to the subtitle Flash Mob Panic.　

But after watching the film, it made a strange kind of sense.　It’s like a story from another world—silly, unexpected, a little cosmic in its comedy.　And somehow, that’s exactly what the title promised.

 After the credits rolled, I stepped out into the Shibuya night.　It was 9 p.m. on a Friday, and I was stunned by how alive the city felt.　The alleyways of Shibuya Yokocho were packed with people—

young faces everywhere, laughter in the air, conversations flowing, languages mixing.　Shibuya, on a Friday night, is just getting started.　Friday night. Shibuya doesn’t sleep.

 And after brushing up against a world so out of the ordinary, I felt like something inside me had been cleansed—as if my spirit had been refreshed under the starry sky.

(7) Benefits of seeing live performances: SM Takahata

She talked about one of her greatest joys, going to live performances by her favorite singers or musicians.

Last week, she went to a concert by her favorite singer, Koji Tamaki at the Nippon Butokan. She did feel more energized for days afterward. In fact, there's a study showing that just 20 minutes of experiencing live music can increase your sense of happiness by 21%! (By comparison, yoga gives a 10% boost, and walking your dog gives 7%.) According to the study, people who attend live music events every two weeks are more likely to experience high levels of happiness, fulfillment, and self-confidence—and may even extend their lifespan by nine years.

Going every two weeks might be difficult, but she said she definitely wants to attend more live performances in the future and feel as much happiness as she can.

(8) Showa popular songs: SM Yoko Narisawa

 Recently I find myself being touched by Showa popular songs all over again. About a month ago, I watched a TV program titled “ Japanese Popular Songs from the Showa Era. It was a three-hour program, and the songs were ranked based on the total number of records sold each year.

 I was born in the Showa era, so I knew almost all of the songs and was able to sing along with them. I could’t stop myself from singing when I heard them. I lived during the Showa era for 35 years -- it was the era of my youth. In those days, there were many TV music programs. I enjoyed listening to a variety of music genres such as enka, folk songs or mood music. Those songs remind me of my youth. I feel nostalgic when I listen to music I liked a long time ago. I believe music has a strong emotional power.

 As you know very well, I am a great fan of Ishihara Yujiro. However, he is more than 20 years older than I am. Logically speaking, there is no reason I should know many of his songs. But when he passed away about 40 years ago, I bought a set of 12 cassette tapes containing 120 of his songs. I listened to them again and again, and eventually I learned how to sing them. You may know some of his popular songs, but I think you don’t know the ones I sing at karaoke. Still, there are some really good songs among them.

 I especially like songs in which lyrics and melody match perfectly. When watching a movie, I get emotional when the theme song plays at the climax. When I was a junior high school student, I went to the movie theater with my elder sister to watch the film “ 夜霧よ今夜も有難う”. I still clearly remember the last scene with that song playing. Even as a child, I felt how  heartbreaking the story was.

 It’s been 37 years since the Heisei era began. It is true that many wonderful songs have been created since then. But I can’t seem to learn how to sing them. One reason is that I’m too old to keep up with the tempo. Another reason is that I can’t be moved by them -- I can’t understand the meaning of the lyrics. Am I the only one who feels that way ?

  Recently I watched another TV program titled “ Touching Songs We Want to Keep singing 100 years from Now ” The song ranked first was “ 糸 ” sung by 中島みゆき. That made perfect sense to me.

If songs don’t move people, they won’t be sung. I hope that the songs of the Reiwa era can be accepted and loved by people of all generations.

Meeting Schedule

In-person: 9:30 AM on Jul. 12 at Oyama Community Center (tea room)

(Coordinator: SM M.G)