A growing number of young people in Japan are developing an interest in China, attracted by the country's long history, rich cultural heritage, and rapid technological advances, with many choosing to study Chinese as a gateway to a deeper understanding.

Those aspirations were on display on Saturday at the Japan finals of the 19th "Chinese Bridge" competition for secondary and high school students, where 16 contestants from across the country shared personal stories about learning Chinese and their impressions of China.

Anna Takahashi, who lived in China for three years, recalled feeling anxious and uncertain when she first arrived in a foreign country. But the kindness she received from teachers and strangers in China gradually eased her fears and left a lasting impression.

"That experience made me truly fall in love with China," she said during her speech.

After returning to Japan, Takahashi said she was saddened to hear negative stereotypes about China, including claims that "China is dangerous". She added that she often felt frustrated for being unable to counter such comments effectively.

Through the competition, she hoped to encourage others not to judge a country solely based on fragmented information online, but to experience it firsthand.

"Before rejecting something, try to understand it first," Takahashi said, adding that she hopes to become a translator in the future and help build mutual understanding between Japan and China.

Another contestant, Uta Moriyama, said her fascination with China began with the hit Chinese drama The Untamed, which inspired her interest in traditional Chinese culture and landscapes.

Having studied Chinese since the age of 6, she described the language as "a pair of wings" that allows her to explore a broader world and experience the charm of Chinese civilization across time.

She said she especially enjoys Chinese classical literature such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as well as the rhythm and beauty of classical Chinese poetry.

Beyond culture, Moriyama is also closely following China's technological developments, particularly in robotics and artificial intelligence, and hopes to visit China in the future to witness the country's innovation firsthand.

The competition also featured cultural performances by contestants, including Chinese martial arts, tai chi, diabolo, paper-cutting, and erhu performances. The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-stringed musical instrument.

Tian Lulu, minister counselor of the Chinese embassy in Japan, said the "Chinese Bridge" competition, which has been held in Japan for more than two decades, has helped many students broaden their horizons by learning Chinese and step onto larger international stages.

Deepening interest

She encouraged participants to showcase their language abilities and share stories about their connections to China and the Chinese language, while continuing to deepen their interest in Chinese culture.

Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association, said that people-to-people exchanges, especially among younger generations, are essential to the future of Japan-China relations.

"Learning Chinese is not only about mastering a language, but also an important pathway to understanding China's history, culture, and way of thinking," he said.

Utsunomiya also said he hoped the students would use Chinese to share their dreams, deepen mutual understanding through cultural exchange, and contribute to future China-Japan friendship.

In Japan, more than 70 universities and over 600 high schools now offer Chinese-language courses.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the "Chinese Bridge" brand, which is organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education and supported by Chinese embassies and Confucius Institutes worldwide.

houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn