2025 Ohio Japan Bowl
- JASCO
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 26
February 15, 2025 | Marysville, Ohio
Congratulations to the three champion teams—one team from Dublin Scioto High School and two from Dublin Jerome High Schools—in this year’s Ohio Japan Bowl, held on February 15, 2025, at Marysville Early College High School. They were among the 15 teams from 5 schools in the greater Columbus area that competed. In addition to the trophies, the three champion teams won eligibility to compete in the 33d National Japan Bowl in Washington DC, April 4 and 5. In addition, Dublin Scioto’s team consisting of Williams, Evan and Ella also scored the highest score in the final round, winning JASCO’s support for up to $2,500 toward their National Japan Bowl participation.
The members of the three champion teams along with comments are as follows:
Level II: Aimee and Ava from Dublin Jerome High School
“We would like to say the Japan bowl was an amazing experience and I’m so glad I was able to attend. The food was amazing and I got to meet so many people. Thank you so much for inviting us and we would love to do it next year ”
Level III: Leah and Jonas from Dublin Jerome High School
“We are quite joyous of our victory and would like to give ourselves 5 big booms.”
Level IV: Williams, Evan, and Ella from Dublin Scioto High School
"Competing in both the Ohio and National Japan Bowl has been a great pleasure that has given us the unique ability to have community with Dublin Jerome and Gretchen Whitney High Schools. Studying, also, has been fun with the creation of inside jokes like "being オタオタ" or finding out about Ranold MacDonald. Most of all, we would have never made it anywhere near as far without the help of our amazing teacher, Krug先生!"
The competition started in the morning with the Preliminary rounds for the three different levels. At each level, teams made up of two to three students from the same high school answered 50 questions related to Japan and the Japanese language behind closed doors. JASCO volunteer members assisted as proctors and graders, helping select the top three teams from each level to advance to the final round in the afternoon.
While waiting for the announcement of the finalists, participants and their friends enjoyed Anime Illustration workshop, led by Meg and Asa. Both study animation at Columbus College of Art & Design and shared their skills in drawing animation characters and backgrounds with the students.
The announcement of the finalists came with much excitement. In the final round, held in front of the audience, the nine finalist teams competed in three distinctive levels, three teams per level. The judging panel for the final round consisted of two of JASCO’s board members, Mr. Cataldi and Mr. Yamakawa, and Ms. Amioka, lecturer at OSU’s Japanese language program.
In the ceremony immediately following the competition, the trophies were awarded to the winning teams by the honored guest, Mr. Mochizuki from the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, along with gift card prizes.
We honor the effort and hard work of all the participating students and the support from their teachers, friends, and families. JASCO events are always assisted by great volunteers. The 2025 Japan Bowl was no exception. JASCO thanks the 13 volunteer members who gave up their Saturday for the event. Last but certainly not least, our sincere gratitude goes to the following sponsors and donors for making the event possible:
American Honda Motor Co.
The Ohio State University Institute for Japanese Studies
Honorary Consul of Japan, Mr. David Cook
The JASCO Board of Directors: Isao Shoji, Noriko Mills, Tony Weis, Hiroaki Kawamura, and Mari Noda
See more photos of the event here:
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