Learning and Playing Week
The 4th All-Japan High School Presentation Boot Camp
- GEM Talks 2025 -
5 Crowns Japan
Witness a power-packed showcase of presentations by high school girls at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion! GEM Talks 2025 brings together the brightest young minds from across Japan to share their dreams and visions in English. Expect a dynamic stage featuring a wide range of topics, from sustainable development and technology to cultural diversity. Get ready to be amazed as Japan's girls take the world by storm.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Youth independence
- Individually optimised learning
- Remote education
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Not provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.07.20[Sun]
13:00 ～ 19:00
(Venue Open 12:30)
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- Venue
- Pavilion
- Women’s Pavilion “WA” Space
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
"Shine Brighter, Talk Bigger with GEM Talks!"
Empower Your Voice. Ignite Your Future.
GEM Talks, a transformative bootcamp designed specifically for high school girls, combines intensive 2-month workshops with a competitive English presentation contest. Through this unique program, finalists develop world-class presentation skills, communication abilities, critical thinking, and a global perspective. Witness firsthand at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion how these young women transform their passions into powerful messages and take their first steps towards becoming global leaders.
Final Competition Details
Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
Venue: "WA" Space, Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion
Organizer: 5 Crowns Japan
Operator: GEM Talks Executive Committee
Official Website: https://gemtalks.org/
Application Period: March 1 - April 30, 2025
For more details on how to apply, please visit our official website.
Reports
【Reflection】
At this year’s GEM Talks, held at the Women’s Pavilion WA Space, participants presented on the theme “The Society I Want to Create in 2045.” Each high-school student drew on their unique background and perspective to share their dreams, aspirations, and visions for achieving them in a seven-minute presentation. Following the presentations, a Q&A session challenged participants with incisive questions from the judges, requiring on-the-spot responses. Through approximately two months of training to strengthen communication skills, the students demonstrated remarkable growth, responding confidently and earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The Grand Prize this year was awarded to Riko Fujioka, a first-year student at Mita International School of Science. Her presentation, titled “Educating Women for a Brighter Future,” compellingly articulated her vision of creating learning environments where women can thrive, contributing to increased social participation and the reduction of poverty. Her confident and powerful delivery earned high praise from the judges. In recognition of her achievement, she was awarded the MEXT Minister's Award.
Reflecting on this year’s event, participants achieved more than simply conveying information. They developed the ability to analyze their values and social issues, deepen self-understanding, and express ideas in ways that reflected their individuality. The Q&A sessions and impromptu responses significantly enhanced their critical thinking and presentation skills, while the opportunity to speak on a global stage fostered greater self-confidence. In addition, engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds encouraged the exchange of perspectives, broadening learning both within and beyond the classroom.
Overall, this year’s experience contributed directly to clarifying participants’ future visions and strengthening their capacity for social impact. It also serves as a model of learning and growth for future participants, demonstrating the value of reflection, preparation, and public engagement in developing young leaders.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Through this year’s GEM Talks, it became clear that participants not only strengthened their communication and critical thinking skills, but also deepened their awareness of social issues and their own values. To ensure that this learning translates into long-term growth and social impact, GEM Talks continues to provide opportunities beyond the event itself.
First, reflection sessions are held after the competition, where participants review their own growth and hear about one another’s future challenges and aspirations. This process helps them to objectively recognize their development and further solidify their ambitions.
In addition, GEM Talks has established an alumni network, Jewelry Box, which connects participants across different years. This community provides a platform for mutual encouragement, fosters vertical and horizontal connections, and creates opportunities to engage with seniors, mentors, and broader society.
Regular academic seminars are also organized to sustain the spirit of learning beyond the event. These seminars offer participants the chance to learn directly from global corporations and women leaders, broadening their perspectives and exposing them to real-world insights.
Moreover, past participants are invited to take part in organizing future editions of GEM Talks, supporting younger students and contributing to the improvement of the program. Through this involvement, they gain practical leadership and collaboration experience while giving back to the community.
Taken together, these initiatives demonstrate that GEM Talks is more than a one-time competition—it is a platform that nurtures continuous growth, empowers participants to clarify their future visions, and strengthens their ability to make a social impact. Looking ahead, GEM Talks will continue to expand these efforts, providing an enduring environment where young people can apply their learning in practice, support one another, and grow as the next generation of leaders.
Cast
Speakers
カルティエ ジャパン
June Miyachi
Cartier Japan CEO
After graduating from Kyoto University Faculty of Law, she joined a global investment bank. Following her MBA at INSEAD, she began her career in the luxury industry. She joined Richemont Japan (now Richemont Japan G.K.) in 2017, served as Cartier Japan’s Head of Marketing & Communications, and was appointed President & CEO of Cartier Japan in August 2020.
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藤崎一郎
Ichiro Fujisaki
The America Japan Society Chairman
Born in Kanagawa in 1947. Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1969. Held key posts including Director-General of the North American Affairs Bureau (1999), Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (2002), Ambassador to the UN in Geneva (2005), and Ambassador to the U.S. (2008). Retired in 2012. Former Visiting Professor at Sophia University. Currently President of the Nakasone Peace Institute, Chair of Kitakamakura Joshi Gakuen, and President of the Association for the Promotion of International Education. Studied at Keio, Brown, and Stanford. Author of It's Not Too Late (2022).
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コンデナスト ジャパン
Tiffany Godoy
VOGUE JAPAN Head of Editorial Content
A journalist, editor, consultant, video, and podcast creator, Godoy began her career as a fashion editor in Tokyo and, over the past two decades, has written for countless publications, including Vogue, CNN and Highsnobiety. She also authored the book, Style Deficit Disorder: Harajuku Street Fashion - Tokyo, and co-founded the multimedia magazine and creative studio The Reality Show in 2010. Tiffany is internationally recognized as a global expert on streetwear and culture and continues to build her legacy in these areas. In January 2022, Tiffany Godoy was appointed as Head of Editorial Content, Vogue Japan.
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マリ クリスティーヌ
Mari Christine
Tokyo Woman’s Christian University Professor, Intercultural Communicator
Lived in Japan until age four, then spent her childhood in Germany, the U.S., Iran, Thailand, and other countries. After returning alone to Japan, she graduated from Sophia University’s Department of Comparative Culture. Gained popularity on TBS Radio’s Young Town Tokyo, and went on to host major TV programs and music festivals, including Tokyo Music Festival and NHK’s World Travelogue. With a global perspective shaped by her upbringing, she has hosted international events and given lectures on community building, aging, women’s issues, the environment, and child poverty. As head of AWC (Asian Women and Children Network), she is active in volunteer work. She also served as PR Producer for Expo 2005 and as a committee member for urban planning and sustainability for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
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アレックス イイダ
Alex Iida
『Studio A.IIDA』 President, Designer
Born in Tokyo. Moved to the U.S. at 14 and spent his student years in New York and Boston, followed by studying in Italy. Graduated from Cornell University’s Department of Architecture. Trained under architects Frank Gehry and Tadao Ando, then established his independent practice based in New York. Currently involved in global projects across art, architecture, interior design, and creative direction. Since returning to Japan in 2022, he has focused on leveraging his experience to promote Japanese culture worldwide.
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More Information
Learning and Playing Week
The 4th All-Japan High School Presentation Boot Camp
- GEM Talks 2025 -
Witness a power-packed showcase of presentations by high school girls at the Osaka-Kansai Expo Women's Pavilion! GEM Talks 2025 brings together the brightest young minds from across Japan to share their dreams and visions in English. Expect a dynamic stage featuring a wide range of topics, from sustainable development and technology to cultural diversity. Get ready to be amazed as Japan's girls take the world by storm.
-
2025.07.20[Sun]
13:00～19:00
(Venue Open 12:30)
- Pavilion
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
OTHER PROGRAM
Learning and Playing Week
