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- Asia University High School Students Asia Photo Contest
- 《Results》5th Asia University High School Student Asian Photo Contest
《Results》5th Asia University High School Student Asian Photo Contest
PAGE SECTIONS
From July 7th to September 21st, Asia University held its fifth annual photography contest for high school students, themed "Asia's Future." This cultural event allowed students to discover the cultures and customs of the Asian region up close. We received 54 submissions from individuals and Photography Club. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who submitted entries and to everyone who introduced this event to the public.
This photo contest looked at the image of "Asia" that high school students have in mind, not only in the real world of international travel, but also in the current era in which cultural exchange that transcends national and linguistic boundaries has flourished thanks to the development of media content.
■ Chief Judge
■ Special judges (2 people)
・ Asia University Photography Club Student
■Judges (3 people)
・ International Center International Cooperation Office
===《Overall Review》===
Once again, there were so many wonderful works this year that it was a challenge to judge them. Regarding the theme "Asia's Future," I was deeply impressed by how each and every one of you managed to look to the future from a high perspective, while keeping your eyes on the ground, even in these uncertain and anxious times. "The future is not something that is given to us, but something that we create" -- that sentiment was strongly felt in the works. I look forward to encountering your new and free perspectives again next time.
(Chief judge: OIZUMI Keiichiro)
Once again, there were so many wonderful works this year that it was a challenge to judge them. Regarding the theme "Asia's Future," I was deeply impressed by how each and every one of you managed to look to the future from a high perspective, while keeping your eyes on the ground, even in these uncertain and anxious times. "The future is not something that is given to us, but something that we create" -- that sentiment was strongly felt in the works. I look forward to encountering your new and free perspectives again next time.
(Chief judge: OIZUMI Keiichiro)
Grand Prize 1 person
"Daily life, a strong person" / Satoshi Inoue (Ehime Prefectural Kamiukena High School) [Photo set]
Commentary
The three consecutive photographs of elderly people, adults, and children vividly depict the daily lives of the people of Bangladesh. The first, a close-up shot of elderly people, captures the moment of a food stall, while the next photograph depicts a road stretching horizontally and a brick wall stretching vertically. The final photograph, with its contrast between the large laundry and the child, evokes a sense of the future of Asia. The three photographs are highly praised for their consistent theme and excellent balance.
(Judge TAKAYAMA Yoko)
The three consecutive photographs of elderly people, adults, and children vividly depict the daily lives of the people of Bangladesh. The first, a close-up shot of elderly people, captures the moment of a food stall, while the next photograph depicts a road stretching horizontally and a brick wall stretching vertically. The final photograph, with its contrast between the large laundry and the child, evokes a sense of the future of Asia. The three photographs are highly praised for their consistent theme and excellent balance.
(Judge TAKAYAMA Yoko)
Excellence Award 2 people
"Urban Expansion" by Kaku Ichiyu (Kaishi International High School, Niigata) [Photo series]
Commentary
The set of three photographs titled "Urban Expansion" captures the landscape of urban construction in the mountains of Shanxi Province, southwest of Beijing. Rapid urbanization is a phenomenon unique to the modern era, and many science fiction stories are set in cities. The modern city that suddenly appears in the mountains, carved into the mountainside, symbolizes the developing future of Asia, while also exuding a somewhat dystopian feel, encapsulating the photographer's high school student hopes and anxieties about the "future." The forest of tower cranes, high-rise buildings, and slope of the mountain emphasize horizontal and vertical lines, creating a sense of depth in the photographs.
(Judge MIZUNO Asuka)
The set of three photographs titled "Urban Expansion" captures the landscape of urban construction in the mountains of Shanxi Province, southwest of Beijing. Rapid urbanization is a phenomenon unique to the modern era, and many science fiction stories are set in cities. The modern city that suddenly appears in the mountains, carved into the mountainside, symbolizes the developing future of Asia, while also exuding a somewhat dystopian feel, encapsulating the photographer's high school student hopes and anxieties about the "future." The forest of tower cranes, high-rise buildings, and slope of the mountain emphasize horizontal and vertical lines, creating a sense of depth in the photographs.
(Judge MIZUNO Asuka)
"Silence" / Taku Aoyama (Nyu Prefectural High School, Fukui Prefecture) [Single Photo]
Commentary
A girl in a yukata holding summer flowers gazes quietly at a bowl filled with water. One is tempted to pause for a moment and imagine what is inside the bowl. The bouquet of yellow flowers, the yukata, and the colorful paper strips of wind chimes are gorgeous, but the wind chimes themselves are perfectly still. This, as the title of the work suggests, evokes a sense of "silence." Is the wet floor due to rain? This photograph captures the serene silence after the rain, the sunlight, and the sound of cicadas in a Japanese summer, showing that "Asia" exists right next to us.
(International Center International Cooperation Office)
A girl in a yukata holding summer flowers gazes quietly at a bowl filled with water. One is tempted to pause for a moment and imagine what is inside the bowl. The bouquet of yellow flowers, the yukata, and the colorful paper strips of wind chimes are gorgeous, but the wind chimes themselves are perfectly still. This, as the title of the work suggests, evokes a sense of "silence." Is the wet floor due to rain? This photograph captures the serene silence after the rain, the sunlight, and the sound of cicadas in a Japanese summer, showing that "Asia" exists right next to us.
(International Center International Cooperation Office)
Special Jury Award 1 person
"From school refusal to taking off into the world" / Mizuki Sato (Aomori Prefectural Onoe Comprehensive High School) [Photo set]
Commentary
Although this is a very personal photo, I feel that this is the true role of photography. One day, when you become an adult, this photo will remind you of the fear and excitement you felt when you took a step forward after your own painful experiences. I hope that winning this photo contest will give you the strength to take another step into the future.
(Special judge: Takuma Suda)
Although this is a very personal photo, I feel that this is the true role of photography. One day, when you become an adult, this photo will remind you of the fear and excitement you felt when you took a step forward after your own painful experiences. I hope that winning this photo contest will give you the strength to take another step into the future.
(Special judge: Takuma Suda)
Asia Grand Prize: 10 winners
(In no particular order)
"Moon Viewing Tower" / Single photo by Shinyu Sano (Harumi High School, Tokyo)
"The City Now" / Single photo by Takeshima Goki (Musashino University High School, Tokyo)
"Dawn of the Future" / Single photo of Seiji Odashima (Saitama, National University of Tsukuba Sakado High School)
"Nothing changes" / Single photo of Mutsutaka Goto (Takasaki University of Commerce High School, Gunma Prefecture)
"Reddish-brown alarm bell" / Shiori Toyama (Hatogaya Prefectural High School, Saitama) Single photo
"Unchanging Streetscape" / Single photo of Asuka Saiki (Nagasaki Prefectural Kawatana High School)
"My Son Ruins" / Saki Imai (Koran Girls' School, Tokyo) 3 photos
"A special day for the 80th anniversary" / Ryunosuke Kobayashi (Tokyo, Kanto International High School) - 3 photos
"A summer connected in the gel" / Hanada Rinka (Private Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School, Miyagi) 3 photos
"Modern City and a Ship" by Yuichi Toyoshima (Komagome Private High School, Tokyo) - Set of 2 photos
Inquiries
Management Planning Divison Planning Office Asia Universitykikaku@asia-u.ac.jp
<Updated on November 1, 2025>