武蔵小杉トーストマスターズクラブについて

History and Overview of Musako

Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club (commonly known as "Musako") started on June 12, 2004, and was officially chartered by Toastmasters International Headquarters on June 6, 2005. It is the first Toastmasters club in Kawasaki City.


Toastmasters does not have a speech instructor. However, the know-how of speech and leadership that originated in the United States and has been refined for nearly 100 years is systematized in the form of websites and textbooks that any member can access. People who are eager to learn gather together and learn at their own pace, voluntarily and with enjoyment.

Features of Musako

Large number and diversity

About 20 to 30 members participate each time. It is a large Toastmasters club and has been continuing for many years . This club attracts many people because of the fun and learning it offers.


Our members are diverse, ranging from men and women of all ages, from Japan and abroad, from young people to veterans . You can hear speeches of various styles from people of various genres.


We have veterans who have been with us since the club's inception , as well as speakers with a lot of experience . There aren't many clubs that have so many members who have participated in national competitions or won awards. It's a great place to learn speech techniques.

However, there are also quiet people in our group, so don't worry. Let's take the first step!


Live feeling and interactive communication

We place importance on person-to-person communication, a live feeling, and face-to-face relationships, so we do not hold online meetings.

In addition to being a first-class speaker, we also aim to be a first-class listener. We have a culture of being interested in anyone's story and creating an atmosphere that makes it easy for speakers to speak, both during regular meetings and at social gatherings.


Active Clubs

The club also puts a lot of effort into events. We are very active, holding contests, workshops, joint meetings with other clubs, and more, including a yearly training camp. In addition, we hold a social gathering at the Irish bar after each regular meeting.


However, if you are busy, you are under no obligation to attend every class. You can join the club at your own convenience and have fun learning at your own pace.

Meeting Information

Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club holds regular meetings twice a month to practice speeches and provide feedback. You can also participate in either Japanese or English only meetings.

cost:

◆Membership fee: 3,000 yen

◆Membership fee: 9,900 yen/6 months (1,650 yen per month)


[Meeting Dates] 2nd (English) and 4th (Japanese) Saturdays of every month

[Time] 14:00-16:00

[Location] Main venue:

"Kawasaki City Community Center" Kosugi Third Avenue 4th floor

　1 minute walk from the West Exit of JR Musashi-Kosugi Station

　1 minute walk from the south exit of Tokyu Musashi-Kosugi Station

"Kawasaki City Lifelong Learning Plaza"

　12 minutes walk from the west exit of Musashi-Kosugi Station on the JR Nambu Line

　15 minutes walk from the New South Exit of Musashi-Kosugi Station on the JR Yokosuka Line

　Tokyu Toyoko Line, get off at Musashi-Kosugi Station, 10 minutes walk from the south exit

　Tokyu Toyoko Line, get off at Motosumiyoshi Station, 10 minutes walk from the west exit 

*The Kawasaki City Lifelong Learning Plaza is a short walk from Musashi-Kosugi Station. Please refer to the video for detailed directions.
"Nakahara Civic Hall" 
　Get off at Musashi-Kosugi Station on the JR Nambu Line. 3 minutes walk from the north ticket gate (Nambu Line exit) or east exit.
　Get off at Musashi-Kosugi Station on the JR Yokosuka Line and walk 4 minutes from the Shin-Minami ticket gate (Yokosuka Line exit)
　Tokyu Toyoko Line/Meguro Line, Musashi-Kosugi Station, 4 minutes walk from the South Exit

*Depending on the day of the meeting, the venue may be different. Please refer to the "Schedule page" for the venue on the day.

Guests are welcome to attend for free, so please feel free to come and take a look. 
Our meetings have a bright and fun atmosphere, so even if you come alone / you can feel at ease. Meeting future speakers is one of our greatest joys. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Meeting Roles

  • MC: "Toast Master of the Day (TMOD)"
The moderator (TMOD) ensures that the meeting proceeds smoothly. He/she introduces each speaker and role person, and makes a series of advance preparations for the meeting. Original plans are also possible, such as limiting the theme of the meeting to stories or love stories.
  • Timekeeper
The timekeeper will time each speaker and commentary, flagging them with green, yellow, or red flags, and then report the time taken, helping speakers develop their ability to speak on time.
  • Grammar (and "Word of the Day")
It serves as an introduction to the "word of the day" and a grammar checker.
 "Word of the Day" is a word that participants are encouraged to use as much as possible during the meeting in order to increase their Japanese and English vocabulary and promote rich language use. This is the perfect opportunity to show off your vocabulary.
Grammar check involves listening carefully to what participants say during the meeting, noting any awkward expressions or incorrect usage, and reporting the results at the end of the meeting.
  • Uh, counter
This person counts how many times each person uses meaningless words such as "um" and "er" during the meeting and reports them at the end of the meeting. This allows the presenter to correct any bad habits they may not have noticed.
  • Good Stories and Jokes Master (optional)
This is an advanced role. This session will be held on an as-needed basis, not every time.
The person in this role will give a short talk (about 3-5 minutes) that will make the audience tear up or burst into laughter. The topic is up to you.
  • Table Topics
This person prepares questions in advance without informing the other participants, and then selects a respondent on the spot to ask the question. This allows the respondent to practice impromptu speeches so that they can make a coherent statement in a short amount of time even if they are suddenly asked for their opinion.
Table Topics Commentary
This role involves providing feedback on the talks given by the people who were selected in the table topics section, highlighting what went well and what needs to be improved. The "table topics commentary" role is unique to Musashi-Kosugi TMC.
  • Prepared Speech
The person in this role prepares a longer speech (usually around 5 to 7 minutes) based on the tasks in the standard manual used by Toastmasters, and delivers the speech within the allotted time.
  • Personal Commentary
The person in this role listens to the prepared speech, comments on what went well and what could be done to make it even better (areas for improvement), and helps the speaker improve further.
  • General Comment
This person will moderate the evaluation session and provide feedback to individual evaluators and the meeting as a whole. Since there is no evaluation except for the speeches, this person will provide constructive feedback that will improve the quality of the meeting.

A sample meeting agenda

This is the program for the Japanese regular meeting (regular meeting) held at the Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club. The English regular meeting is entirely in English, including the MC and speeches. There are also modified programs such as contests and workshops.
Please see "Meeting Role Descriptions" for an explanation of terminology.
14:00 Opening
　　　 Guest introductions and announcements
　　　 Quote of the day
　　　 Today's Toastmaster
　　　 Role Description
　　　　Timekeeper
　　　　Tally Clerk
　　　　Grammar
　　　　Uh, counter
14:10 Jokes, good stories *from time to time
14:15 Table Topics
14:30 Table Topics Commentary
14:35 Prepared speech *Speeches vary from 3 to 5 depending on the situation
　　　　Speaker #1
　　　　Speaker #2
　　　　Speaker #3
　　　　Speaker #4
15:15 Break
15:20 Commentary
　　　　Comments on Speaker #1
　　　　Comments on Speaker #2
　　　　Comments on Speaker #3
　　　　Comments on Speaker #4
　　　　Grammar/Um Counter Report
15:40 General Commentary
15:47 Winners Announcement
　　　　(Best Speaker, Best Evaluator,
　　　　 Best Table Topics Speaker)
15:50 Guest comments
　　　 Announcement
16:00 Closing

Information on joining

Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club is always looking for new members. Once you become a member, you can participate in various activities, including speech practice.
[Membership qualifications]
Anyone aged 18 or over who has attended three regular meetings of the Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters Club (not necessarily consecutive meetings) is eligible to join.
[Membership fees and dues]
Membership fee is 3,000 yen, membership fee is 9,900 yen/6 months (1,650 yen/month).

*Membership fees are collected semi-annually.

*As we are a non-profit organization, all of these expenses will be used to fund the club's activities, such as venue fees and manual purchases.
*When you become a member, you will receive Toastmaster's Magazine (in English) from the International Headquarters every month.
*Membership fees and membership fees may be revised depending on factors such as the dollar-yen exchange rate.

What is Musashi-Kosugi Toastmasters like? We recreated a regular meeting with avatars!