 Welcome everybody. Welcome to this year's Sopita Parker Awards for Spoken Business Japanese. My name's Luke Dillon. I'm the director of the language centre at SOWAS here and I'll be the master of ceremonies for this part of today's event. First things first, if I could ask anyone who has mobile phones or mobile devices if they could please switch them off. The finalist speeches will be commencing in approximately five minutes and will be lasting until about 5.30. And then we will be having the awards ceremony from 6pm till 7pm. And then the reception will be on the ground floor of the Brunai Gallery, which is just upstairs from 7 o'clock till 8.30. Who is who with all people here? Everyone that has coloured labels on their badges. Red represents sponsors and supporters. Blue is a judge or interlocutor and timekeeper. Green is finalists and yellow are staff like me. Our finalists for this year are Mr Ji-Hang Wang from the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies on Back to the Heartland Business Opportunities in Central Asia for Japan and Europe. Mr Ben Jones from BJ Translation Limited interpreting Japanese English business discussions. Mrs Xiang Hong Lau from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe Limited on the gender gap in Japanese companies is Japan back on track to achieve gender equality of sustainable development goals STGs by 2030. And Mr Robert Maricini from the University of Bucharest who unfortunately due to ill health is unable to attend today but he would have been talking on the corporate diplomacy in a diverse political landscape. And we have Mr Victor Char from Beat Chain. We'll be talking on the power of gratitude more than just good manners. Mr Viv Paranjope from In Conversation Media Limited we're talking on like sugar and milk immigration and integration. Mr Sami Narainan from Jagex Game Studio improving the image of Japanese work life. And finally Mr Bruce Kirk Anglow Academic talking on the rule of the slipper for foreign companies in Japan. Our special guest today will be his excellency Yasumasa Nagamini, the ambassador of Japan to the UK and of course Sir Alan Parker, the chairman of the Brunswick Group LLP. The judges of the panel are Mr Takashi Ito who will be the chief judge from the Embassy of Japan. Mr Miss Mitsui Uchida Finch Access Appointments Consultancy Limited. Mr Takaki Hanaioka Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK. Mr Hans York Hinkle Mitsubishi Electric. Mr Isayokano Mitsubishi Corporation International Europe PLC. Dr Yoshikatsu Shinazawa from Soes University of London here. Mr Masatoshi Takayuchi from Japan Airlines Company Limited. The interlocutors will be Mrs Keiko Cummings from Japan Seats UK Limited. Mr Setsuo Keito from Keito Media. And a timekeeper will be Mr Tamoya Yamaguchi also from Soes University London and myself the master of ceremony Mr Lugdalen from the Language Centre. The prizes are for the first prize, the Winner's Cup, special 30th anniversary plate designed and made by Mrs Jill Fanshawe Keito, a mileage bank of 70,000 miles donated by Japan Airlines, £1,500 in cash donated by Mitsubishi Electric, Japan Rail Pass and Doraemon Cushion donated by Japan Centre, a meal voucher for two at Temprer Restaurant donated by Temprer Ono, Hachabori Tokyo, Japanese Sweets donated by Minamoto Kichewan Company Limited, Zoom Japan subscription for one year donated by Zoom Japan. The second prize will be for a £1,000 gift voucher donated by Mitsubishi Corporation International Europe PLC, a meal voucher for two at Temprer Restaurant, a Doraemon Cushion donated by Japan Centre, Japanese Sweets donated by Minamoto Kichewan Co Ltd, Zoom Japan subscription for one year donated by Zoom Japan. The third prize will be an iPad donated by Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, a £300 gift voucher for Stanton Hotel Cotswold donated by Access Appointments Consultancy Limited, a Doraemon Cushion donated by Japan Centre, a £30 meal voucher donated by Sagamia, Zoom Japan subscription for one year donated by Zoom Japan. There will also be a special prize for a digital camera donated by RECO UK Limited, a £200 gift voucher for Kanadaya Machiaia London donated by Access Appointments, Doraemon Goods donated by Japan Centre, a £30 meal voucher donated by Sagamia, and Zoom Japan subscription for one year donated by Zoom Japan. The remaining finalists will also receive a gift voucher donated by JPT Europe Limited, a Japanese-style gift set donated by Access Appointments Consultancy Limited, and all finalists will receive membership to the Japan Society for one year and publication donated by the Japan Society. They'll also receive a bottle of sake donated by Sarko Samurai, a Nikkei online IDD donated by Nikkei Europe Limited, and a certificate written by Tamoya Yamaguchi. There will also be a raffle later on and prizes for eight people. I've been reminded that if anyone hasn't already picked up a ticket when they've come through the door and reception and signed in that there are tickets waiting for those who don't have any. The prizes are there's one available for a Tempro Ono Hatchabori in Tokyo, a voucher for one couple, and then there are two Sagamia London meal vouchers donated by Sagamia, and then there are five bottles of sake donated by Sarko Samurai. So good luck to anyone who's got a ticket in the raffle.