Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and TOMODACHI Initiative Extend their Partnership and Continue Investing in Young Leaders to further the U.S.-Japan Relationship

PRESS RELEASE

November 9th, 2018

U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) TOMODACHI Initiative
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and TOMODACHI Initiative Extend their Partnership
and Continue Investing in Young Leaders to
further the U.S.-Japan Relationship

 

Tokyo, Japan, November 9th, 2018 – Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and Chief Executive Officer Tatsuo Yasunaga, hereinafter referred to as “Mitsui”) and the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) TOMODACHI Initiative (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President Irene Hirano Inouye, hereinafter referred to as TOMODACHI) announced the extension of their partnership to continue to support promising young leaders in the United States and Japan, through the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co., Leadership Program.

The announcement was made during the Reception held in tribute to the TOMODACHI Initiative at the 2018 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference on November 8th. The reception was attended by distinguished guests including the U.S. Ambassador to Japan William F. Hagerty, as well as key business and government leaders from the United States and Japan.

The TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co., Leadership Program was established in 2013 and has provided opportunities for approximately 120 next generation leaders in the United States and Japan to learn about important policies and issues relevant to both countries and to broaden their perspectives to enhance work or initiatives in their professional fields.

This innovative leadership program targets rising young leaders 40 years of age and younger from the business and government sectors who are active in their respective fields and committed to addressing local, regional or global community concerns. Each year, a select group of ten (10) young leaders from each country visits the United States or Japan, and meets with prominent individuals and leaders from the business, government, and non-profit sectors. The participants are expected to further grow as next generation leaders who will contribute strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

With ongoing support to TOMODACHI Initiative, Mitsui offered to continue the program for another three years from 2019 to 2021.
Irene Hirano Inouye, Representative Director and President of U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) also commented, “We are truly honored to continue our partnership with Mitsui. This program is designed to create a professional network among rising leaders in both our countries. We firmly believe that deepening the understanding of one another’s culture and society, and engagement at the professional level is critical to furthering U.S.-Japan relations.”
For details of the program between 2013 to 2018, please visit here http://bit.ly/TOMODACHI_MITSUI_E

About Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
Mitsui (Mitsui & Co., Ltd.) is one of the most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment, and service enterprises in the world, with 136 offices in 66 countries/regions as of October 2018. Utilizing the global operating locations, network and information resources, Mitsui is developing a wide range of businesses in six core areas: Metals, Machinery & Infrastructure, Chemicals, Energy, Lifestyle, and Innovation & Corporate Development (logistics, insurance, finance, and information technology-related projects). For more information, visit https://www.mitsui.com

About TOMODACHI Initiative:
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from the Government of Japan. Born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. The initiative seeks to foster a “TOMODACHI Generation” of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other’s countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world. Visit us at www.tomodachi.org