We held our 422nd meeting on a beautiful fall day and were delighted to welcome four guests, including one former member who joined us online. It was inspiring to see him taking on new challenges in a new environment.🙌
One of our guests was a member of a Toastmasters club in Taiwan. He arrived in Tokyo that very morning and joined our meeting in the afternoon, which impressed us with his enthusiasm.😄
The other two guests were attending for the second time, and both expressed interest in officially becoming members.😃
Prepared Speeches✨
We had two prepared speakers this time, including one delivering an Icebreaker speech, the first speech a member gives in a Toastmasters meeting.
- TM FM started his speech by inviting the audience to close their eyes and imagine being surrounded by nature. He spoke about his new favorite healthy habit: forest bathing. He explained what it is and how it helps people relax by immersing themselves in the forest. Although Tokyo is known as a concrete jungle, he reminded us that places like Shinjuku Gyoen can provide a sense of peace and calm.
- TM K delivered his Icebreaker speech in Japanese—his third language. He shared that he has lived in three different countries and moved to Japan to begin a new chapter in his life. He effectively illustrated the cultural differences and unique features of each country he has lived in. Although it was his first speech, he appeared confident and used effective body language throughout.
Table Topics Session✨
During the Table Topics session, TM AI posed thought-provoking questions about plastic surgery. Questions like “What are your thoughts on cosmetic surgery?” and “How would you feel if your partner decided to have cosmetic surgery?” prompted members to deliver impromptu speeches. Since TM AI is a cosmetic surgeon, the topic reflected his professional background.
Evaluation✨
The evaluations were conducted by two experienced Toastmasters. TM RW praised the structure and smooth delivery of TM MF’s speech, while also suggesting that adding data or specific figures would make it even more persuasive.
TM SS commended the Icebreaker speech for being comprehensive, noting that it effectively covered the speaker’s background, hobbies, and the countries he has lived in.
Award Session🏅
The awards were presented to these wonderful speakers. Congratulations👏
・Best Prepared Speech Speaker: TM MF
・Best Evaluator : TM SS
・Best Table Topic Speaker : TM MC
Outing Report: Hot Pot and Stand-up Comedy Night🍲🎤
For our special outing, we began with a fiery hot pot dinner at a popular restaurant in Shinjuku. The table quickly filled with an impressive spread of beef, pork, lamb, and a variety of spicy sauces that tested everyone’s heat tolerance. One of the highlights was when a staff member stretched fresh noodles right in front of us, moving them through the air with flair before dropping them into the bubbling pot.
After dinner, we headed to Shibuya for an English stand-up comedy show. For many of us, it was our first time seeing live stand-up in English, so there was a mix of excitement and curiosity about what the experience would be like. Once the show began, we were entertained by comedians from various countries, each bringing their own stories and humor to the stage. Since we were seated in the front row, some members even became part of the jokes, making the night even more memorable and entertaining.🤣
About the Upcoming Meeting
Our next meeting will be in Japanese.
Date: Nov 29, Saturday
Time: 2p.m-3:40p.m.
Place: 青山生涯学習館（東京都港区南青山４丁目１９−７）
Google map
Please join us!