[Expo MC Report] Cambodia – Calm on Stage, Decisions Behind the Scenes

2025/07/08 2025/08/06

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Hello, this is Rie Sasaki, a bilingual MC based in Japan.

On July 5th, I served as the bilingual MC for Cambodia’s National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka.
The event was business-oriented, featuring speeches by the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia and the CEO of a Japanese support organization—with no performances, and a formal, respectful atmosphere throughout.

While the program itself felt calm and composed, behind the scenes was a different story.

In moments like this, I’m reminded that a script isn’t always perfect. Names of people or companies may change at the last minute, so it’s essential to confirm details directly with the person or someone involved—especially when dealing with proper nouns in both Japanese and English.

Another key takeaway: Sometimes it’s better not to follow the script word-for-word.
For example, if a guest speaker arrives earlier than planned, it may be more appropriate to say, “They’ve just arrived,” rather than reading, “They will be arriving shortly.”
Being flexible and adapting to real-time changes is part of what makes a good MC.

Hosting is more than just reading a script.
It requires awareness, attentiveness, and the ability to choose the right words at the right moment.
This experience once again reminded me that being calm on the surface often comes from making smart decisions behind the scenes.