TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Welcome Event in Kyushu Region: Alumni Gather for Workshop and Reception at the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka

On May 17, 2019, the Kyushu region kicked-off its first TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Event in 2019. The event was hosted by the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka, where TOMODACHI Alumni from across the Kyushu region gathered for a workshop and reception with Principal Officer Joy Michiko Sakurai and Consul for Public Affairs Vanessa Zenji.

This event was organized by Toshinobu Sasazu, Regional Leader, and Shotaro Kurata, Regional Mentor.

The workshop led by Ms. Sakurai centered on the topic of professional relationships and provided tips on networking and relationship building. She explained how professional relationships are valuable for everyone and that they should be built on trust. They are not simply a means of job-hunting, but also a way to build your own career and confidence. She then illustrated the importance of being “authentic” in order to build a meaningful professional relationship in an interactive style where everyone had a chance to gather in teams and share their stories, which made the workshop more valuable and meaningful for the participants. She closed the session by advising the alumni community to “be honest, and don’t hesitate to show who you really are,” great tips to help connect better with others. After the workshop, Ms. Sakurai kindly invited the participants to the Principal Officer’s Residence for a reception.

The participants, keeping Ms. Sakurai’s earlier lessons about authenticity in mind, enjoyed networking and building meaningful relationships. For Ayuka Eguchi, alumnae of the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program, it was her first time attending an alumni event: “It was a great opportunity to meet and talk with such wonderful people. They all have strong passions which greatly inspire me. I look forward to the next event and would love to get more involved with TOMODACHI!”   The event was held as a part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework, the TOMODACHI Generation Alumni Leadership Program supported by Prudential.