TOMODACHI Generation: Tomomi Sato

Tomomi Sato is a participant of the TOMODACHI FIRST Program. Born and raised in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Sato has always been concerned with the local community.

The Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 completely changed her life and perspective. Since 2011, Sato has been strongly motivated to give back to the community where she grew up. She started building an e-commerce website called Ishinomaki Genki Shoten to market locally made seafood.  Sato collaborated with Yahoo! Japan to grow the site, and her immediate vision this year is to incorporate the business. 

Sato works very closely with each client, and has been an advocate for those clients who are local fishermen and farmers. Educating clients about a marketing perspective and the local resources at Ishomaki that are not necessarily available in other areas, Sato believes that each client gains confidence for marketing their products and telling their own stories.

Through this process of working together, Sato rediscovered the resources, culture and products of Ishinomaki. Currently, Sato holds 50 contracts with local producers and is excited to make Ishinomaki Genki Shoten into a local company, providing more employment opportunities, especially to the young local generation. 

By participating in the TOMODACHI FIRST Program, Sato learned about marketing and business management in the U.S., and found a new market for her local products. Being in a transitioning state for her work, she learned how to be a confident and effective leader with a clear vision.

• To read about this program, click here