Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Hideo Suzuki, has challenged Nigerian learners of Japanese to prioritise personal expression, creativity and cultural understanding, saying artificial intelligence cannot replicate the human emotions and experiences that give language its soul.

Suzuki spoke on Saturday in Abuja at the 7th Nihongo Speech Contest, where finalists were encouraged to move beyond grammatical accuracy and memorised speeches to express their individuality and personal experiences through spoken Japanese.

He acknowledged that advances in artificial intelligence had made simultaneous translation increasingly accurate but argued that technology could not reproduce the warmth, creativity and emotional depth of human communication.

“In this era of rapid technological advancement, AI can now perform simultaneous translation with incredible accuracy. Yet, AI can never speak with the charm, the warmth, or the soul of a human being,” the ambassador said.

He described language as more than a means of exchanging information, saying it also reflected the speaker’s intellect, experiences and creativity.

Drawing on the Japanese concept of kotodama, which refers to the spiritual power or essence associated with words, Suzuki urged the contestants to recognise the connection between language and the person speaking it.

“AI can generate flawless sentences, but it has no kotodama. It can never breathe soul into language. That power belongs uniquely to you,” he said.

The ambassador urged the finalists to speak with confidence and originality, stressing that their ability to communicate personal thoughts and experiences was as important as their technical command of Japanese.

He said the competition offered an opportunity to appreciate the contestants’ creativity and individual perspectives rather than assess them solely on their mastery of grammar and vocabulary.

“Today, more than anyone, I look forward to encountering not just your technical Japanese, but the works of art created by your hearts,” Suzuki said.

He also encouraged applicants who did not qualify for the final round to remain committed to learning Japanese, describing their participation as evidence of their interest in the language and its culture.

The ambassador said language learning should extend beyond technical proficiency to include an understanding of the cultural values, ideas and artistic expression embedded in a language.

The contest brought together Japanese-language learners, academics, alumni of study-abroad programmes and enthusiasts of haiku, the traditional Japanese poetic form known for its concise expression.

Suzuki acknowledged the contributions of the contest’s judges, Professors James Ogbonna and Mohammed Dauda, commending their support for Japanese-language education and cultural exchange in Nigeria.

He also highlighted haiku as an example of how carefully chosen words could convey complex emotions and ideas in a concise form.

The ambassador congratulated the finalists on reaching the final stage and urged them to take pride in their efforts, express their individual identities and allow their personal voices to emerge through their speeches.

The five finalist contestants received awards in three categories. Entonu Francis and Ramalan Safiya won the Encouragement Awards, while Tambee Samuel Ushahemba and Sani Amina Shehu emerged winners of the Best Contestant Award. Adebowale Adewale received the Outstanding Performance Award.

The president of Nigeria-Japan Alumni Association Prof. Mohammed Dauda called for stronger collaboration among Japanese companies, Nigerian universities and the Japanese Embassy to create employment and practical opportunities for Nigerians learning the Japanese language.

Dauda who was the judge at the contest in a remark said language learners should not end their journey with certificates and social media recognition but should be given opportunities to apply their skills in professional settings.

He cited a 10-day communications consultancy with a Japanese company, facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where he interpreted between Japanese and Nigerian professionals working with agricultural machinery.

The 7th Nihongo Speech Contest is part of efforts to promote Japanese-language learning and appreciation of Japanese culture among learners in Nigeria.