Competition · Online
A national contest, founded in 1981, asking high school students to write not a book report but a 'reading experience' essay about how a book changed their thinking or life. Entries go through schools; the 47th (2027) call is not yet published.
Up to 5 sheets of 400-character manuscript paper (vertical or horizontal, typed allowed) about any genre of book: novels, non-fiction, philosophy, science, dictionaries, manga, picture books. Prefectural committees pick winners; 8 national winners receive the MEXT Minister's Award, National High School Principals' Association Award or Foundation Award (certificate, plaque, book card, gift), plus 39 merit and 188 prefectural awards. AI-generated text is prohibited.