The organizing committee will accept entries until November 15 from non-native Japanese language students over the age of 12 residing in the network’s member countries; self-taught learners are also eligible provided they maintain contact with the RCCJ national representative.

Registration is handled via an official form, and the required format is a bimonthly desktop calendar featuring six photographs.

Images must depict objects, places, people, landscapes, or elements within the country of residence that evoke Japan or its culture.

Participants may enter individually or in groups of up to six members; an individual cannot participate in more than one category or group, although a country may have multiple participants and collectives, according to the contest guidelines.

The schedule sets the evaluation deadline for December 15, with the winners to be announced on December 20.

Entries must be original digital works—in color or black and white—and of sufficient quality for printing, the RCCJ specified.

Basic editing and collages using one’s own photos are permitted, but the use of AI-generated images, substantial alterations, and works that have previously won awards or had their rights assigned to others is prohibited.

jdt/mh/vnl