2026/9/12(Sat.)*SMC*

Lecture

Table Topic Speech

(1) Who do you trust and why?

(2) How many people do you love?

(3) What's the most important lesson you've learned in the last year?

(4) What makes life easier?

(5) How would you describe the past year of your life in one sentence?

(6) Where do you spend most of your time while you're awake?

Prepared Speech

(1) SMC or ICC: SM Eda

(2) My Favorite Essayists: SM Noro

Today, I would like to talk about two people I admired: Toyoo Tamamura and Keiko Kishi, who both passed away recently.

When I was younger, their lives and perspectives deeply inspired me. Although they worked in different fields, they shared qualities I valued: curiosity about the world and the freedom to follow their own paths.

Mr. Tamamura was an essayist and painter. He studied French literature at the University of Tokyo and later established a winery in Tomi, Nagano Prefecture.

He wrote about food, wine, and satoyama—the traditional Japanese countryside, where people live closely with nature. Through his essays, I came to admire not only his knowledge, but also his attitude toward everyday life. His writing reminded me that a good meal, a glass of wine, or a beautiful landscape could be a source of real happiness.

This past April, my wife and I visited his winery and enjoyed a French lunch there. By chance, I saw him chatting happily with a friend. It was a simple scene, but I was delighted to see the person I had admired for so long, enjoying life in a place he had created.

Now that he has passed away, that brief moment feels especially precious.

Ms. Kishi was best known as an actress. She became famous for her leading role in the film Kimi no Na wa. Some of you may remember “Machiko-maki,” the way her character wore a scarf wrapped around her head. It became a popular fashion in Japan. She later married a French film director and moved to Paris. Alongside her acting career, she became a journalist and essayist, building a bridge between Japan and France.

I recently read her autobiography and was fascinated by the people who appeared in it. She wrote about her first love, the actor Koji Tsuruta; her affection for Kenichi Hagiwara, whom she regarded as a younger brother; and the charm of the wrestler Rikidozan. She also described her encounters with the politician Yasuhiro Nakasone and the novelist Yasunari Kawabata. What interested me most was how these famous people revealed unexpected sides of themselves to her. Through her eyes, they became more human and familiar. Reading her book, I felt as if I were listening to someone with a sharp eye, a warm heart, and a remarkable store of memories.

Looking back, I realize that I admired both of them for more than their achievements. They encouraged me to look beyond my small world, appreciate other cultures, and find pleasure in everyday life.

Above all, they were wonderful essayists. Their words made me feel that I knew them, even though I did not know them personally.

I am saddened by their passing, but grateful for what they shared with us. I hope to keep their spirit of curiosity alive in my own life.

May they both rest in peace.

(3) NBC News Radio: SM Ishimura

(4) A dog's feelings: SM Yoko Narisawa

 It is often said that dogs are man’s best friend. They are not simply cute animals that live with people. They are companions that have shared life with humans for a very long time. They can sense our feelings. When we are happy, they seem to share our joy. When we feel down, they stay close to us quietly, as if they understand that what we need most is simply company. They are more than pets. They are sometimes members of the family.

 As you know, my daughter keeps a dog named Koume. They are irreplaceable to each other. My husband and I sometimes look after Koume when my daughter is away from home for a while. Koume has been staying at our house since the end of August because of my daughter’s trip to Sendai. At first, Koume behaved as if she were at home as usual. However, after my daughter left Koume with us and returned home, something changed. Koume suddenly became sad. She ran onto the bed in my daughter’s room and refused to come out.

 The next day, she crawled under the bed and stayed there for about 18 hours without eating or drinking anything. Because the weather was very hot, I worried she might get heatstroke. No matter how many times I called her name, she wouldn’t come out. She seemed to miss my daughter and feel lonely. She is very used to being with us, so I thought she wouldn’t miss my daughter too much even if my daughter wasn’t around. But this time, it was the other way around. I realized how deep their bond was. My daughter and Koume take a walk everyday and share ordinary days together. These small daily moments may seem simple, but they are what create a powerful connection over time. Seeing their bond made me realize that I could never take my daughter’s place.

 My family once kept a dog named Kora in the yard. She lived for 17 years, enduring the summer heat and the winter cold with patience and strength. Looking back, I feel regret. If we had kept her inside the house, perhaps our bond with her would have been even deeper. But at that time, keeping a dog indoors was unthinkable. Even now, my family regret not having kept Kora indoors from the beginning.

 The relationship between humans and dogs is not just a habit of living together. It’s a true emotional connection.

 I hope with all my heart that the bond between my daughter and Koume will continue for as long as possible.

(5) Daydreaming: SM Kaneko

Today, I'd like to talk about one of my hobbies: daydreaming.

It's similar to thinking. But I like the word daydreaming because it contains the word dream. And I like dreams!

The point of my speech is this: daydreaming is enjoyable.

When I look back on my life and think about the times when I was happy, daydreaming often comes to mind first. So, it might be one of the most enjoyable things in my life.

Let me talk about three aspects of daydreaming.

First, it's free.

You can think about whatever you like. Compared with actually doing something, daydreaming gives you much more freedom.

For example, in your wildest dreams, you can become an excellent athlete or a great musician. You don't have to practice, and you don't have to worry about your physical abilities!

Second, daydreaming is connected with peace.

If you are living in an unstable situation, such as during a war, even your thoughts might be limited. You might have to refrain from thinking about what you really want to think about.

So, the freedom to daydream may actually be a sign of peace.

Third, as a member of SMC, I sometimes think in English when I prepare my speeches.

Compared with thinking in Japanese, thinking in English for this purpose somehow makes me feel more global.

When I think in English, I feel connected to people all over the world. In a sense, I feel as if I'm already sending a message to the world—even before I actually give my speech!

So, in conclusion, if you think daydreaming is similar to thinking, then most of us are daydreaming more or less every day.

It's not rare or exceptional. It's something quite ordinary—and, I think, quite wonderful.

As John Lennon sings:

♬ You may say I'm a dreamer,But I'm not the only one. ♬

Thank you so much!

(6) Jokes Save the World: SM Kei Narisawa

Jokes Are a Human Characteristic

A man walks into a bar. Ouch!

Do you understand this tiny little joke? The word “bar” has a double meaning, which may help you understand the joke.

Jokes have universal appeal. When I was in America, they really helped me make friends and break the ice. If you are seen as a serious person, as I used to be when I was young, nobody wants to talk to you. But if you are considered a funny guy, people let their guard down and are more willing to talk to you.

Now, I’d like to give you several more short jokes. Let’s see how many of them you understand.

“I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.”

“I only know 25 letters of the alphabet. I don’t know Y.”

“I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.”

Once you have established rapport, your conversation partner may be patient enough to listen to your longer jokes. Here are a few examples.

The Exam

Teacher: “Why are you late?”

Student: “Because of a sign.”

Teacher: “What sign?”

Student: “The sign said, ‘School Ahead. Go Slow.’”

The Smart Dog

“My dog is so smart.

I asked him, ‘What’s two plus two?’

He said, ‘Five.’

I said, ‘That’s wrong!’

He looked at me and said,

‘I know. I was just testing you.’”

The Neighbor

“My neighbor knocked on my door at 3 a.m.

Can you believe that?

Luckily, I was still awake…

playing my drums.”

These jokes are pretty funny, aren’t they? If you can use jokes like these in your speech, your audience will probably enjoy it more and be more receptive to what you say.

What do you think?

Now, I’d like to wrap up my speech by telling you my favorite joke.

Two guys go hunting. Suddenly, one of them collapses, clutching his chest.

The other guy calls 911.

The operator says, “First, you need to make sure that your friend is dead.”

A moment later, a gunshot is heard.

Then the hunter comes back on the phone and asks,

“Okay, now what?”

Meeting Schedule

In-Person: 9:30 AM on Sep. 26 at Oyama Community Center (medium conference room)

                   (Coordinator: SM Koizumi)

Meeting Schedule

In-Person: 9:30 AM on Sep. 26 at Oyama Community Center (medium conference room)

                   (Coordinator: SM Koizumi)