Universities and vocational schools from across Japan participated in NHK’s 37th National University Broadcasting Contest. At the final selection, which took place on December 5, 2020 at Kyoto Asney (Kyoto City Lifelong Learning Center, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto), the Okayama University Broadcasting Club took 1st and 2nd place in the Radio Program category and Video Commercial category, respectively. At the 36th Broadcasting Contest in 2019, Okayama University Broadcasting Club placed 1st in the Video Production category, making this the second year in a row that the club has achieved excellent results.

As a result of the COVID-19, the Live category was canceled and only pre-recorded submissions were accepted for the following categories: Public Service Announcement, Recitation, Audio Commercial, Radio Program, Video Commercial and Video Production. A total of 355 recordings were submitted by 71 groups. Qualifying productions competed for 1st place in the final round, where Okayama University Broadcasting Club’s “Fumidashita saki ni ” (translated to “Stepping Out”) ranked 1st out of 46 submissions in the Radio Program category and “Tsute ” (translated to“Connection”) placed 2nd out of 36 submissions in the Video Commercial category.

“Fumidashita saki ni ” focuses on the Okayama University students who planned and implemented the “Corona ga nanja! WIN&WIN gakusei purojekuto ” (translated to “We aren’t scared of corona! Win-win student project to support Okayama University students and local restaurants”), which was held last year in the wake of the COVID-19. It is a work that encourages listeners to have the courage to try something new. On the other hand, “Tsute ” is based on the actual experience : when Broadcasting Club member OCHI Yuki (2nd year, Faculty of Law) felt lonely due to the influence of the COVID-19, she felt such an emotional connection with the members and friends through making the work that she could overcome loneliness. That is why the work contains a message that you are not alone even if you are suffering.

Ms.Ochi, who was the executive producer on both works, commented on the club’s double award, saying, “As a result of the COVID-19, I have had more time to myself, which has given me the opportunity to reflect on myself as well as my club activities. It also helped me to recognize afresh the importance of relationships. As such, I plan to be more kind to myself and take the time to express my gratitude to the people around me.”


Reference :　“Corona ga nanja! WIN&WIN gakusei purojekuto ”
(translated to “We aren’t scared of corona! Win-win student project to support Okayama University students and local restaurants”)