Japanese Delegates of the 2014 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program Visit Silicon Valley and DC

From September 7 to 14, 2014, ten Japanese delegates of the 2014 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program traveled to Silicon Valley, California and Washington, DC. This unique TOMODACHI program, in which Japanese and American young professionals travel to each other’s countries, is in its second year. Guided by the 2014 theme, “Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Industrial Development,” this year’s agenda focused on entrepreneurship, technology, trade and energy, and their roles in U.S.-Japan cooperation. 

During the week, many U.S.-Japan Council members engaged with the group, each taking time to meet, talk about their respective careers, life experiences, and perspective supporting the importance of U.S.-Japan relations.  Their participation contributed to the American experience and ongoing success of this unique bicultural leadership program.

The program officially ended Friday evening with an informal dinner reception hosted by newly assigned Japan Minister Tamaki Tsukada, Head of Chancery in Washington, DC.

Yu Yoshida, a participant from Iwate prefecture said, “Being selected as one of the Japanese delegates and joining this program literally gave me a life changing experience.  After the participating on this program, I am thinking seriously about pursuing a master’s course in the United States.”