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Update from Team TOMODACHI
April 2017
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Participants Develop Their Own Leadership Styles Through the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program
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From February 20 – March 24, 2017, twenty-five TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program participants visited Seattle, Washington to participate in a five week experiential leadership training program.
The TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of Japanese social entrepreneurs and community leaders between the ages of 18-25 who are prepared to make a positive impact throughout Japan.
One of the highlights was a site visit to the headquarters of Microsoft, where the participants learned about Microsoft’s philanthropic vision and received advice on their group projects. The participants also had lunch with Microsoft employees and learned what it is like to work for one of the largest corporations in the world.
 After returning to Japan, representatives from among the participants attended a debriefing session where they shared their experiences. The debriefing session concluded with remarks and words of encouragement by Mr. Takuya Hirano, President & CEO of Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd., who praised the participants for successfully completing the program, and said the following: “Continue to break your comfort zone, and take the most of what’s out there. And make a big impact, or any impact you want to make.” Read More >> |
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program Mentees Meet with Influential Women Leaders in Washington, D.C. and New York City
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From March 21 – 29, 2017 a select group of 50 female Japanese undergraduate university students from Tokyo, Osaka, Naha, and Sapporo traveled to Washington, D.C. and New York City to meet with influential women leaders as part of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program.
 In Washington, D.C., the mentees (participants) met with female leaders from the government, corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurship sectors, including: Congressman Joaquin Castro; Susan Greenwell, Senior Vice President and Head of International Government Relations at MetLife; Eileen Pennington, Asia Foundation Associate Director; and Vanessa Kerry, Co-founder and CEO of Seed Global Health. On March 26, the mentees (participants) traveled to New York City, where they interacted with students and faculty from Barnard’s Athena Center for Leadership Studies and Columbia University, and participated in full day of activities at the headquarters of MetLife Insurance Company USA. They heard from Esther Lee, MetLife’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, and Irene Inouye Hirano, President of the U.S.-Japan Council. Read More >> |
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Forty College Students from New England Attend the 4th TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference
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From April 7 – 9, 2017, forty college students (twenty Japanese and twenty American) from across New England convened in Boston for the fourth TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference.
The TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference is a unique opportunity to nurture future leaders in the United States and Japan. The conference enables Japanese and American undergraduate and graduate students currently studying at a U.S. college or university to come together for leadership and development training. The conference also aims to strengthen and encourage a sense of community among students in the region, enhance cross-cultural awareness, and build the people-to-people ties that are important to the future of the U.S.-Japan relationship.
One participant wrote that "This program was absolutely amazing in so many ways. I learned a lot from the candid dialogue about issues currently facing Japan and the United States and the ways in which those issues are being considered. The speaker from the Department of Defense was particularly interesting as well as the Japan Consul General. The conference helped me take a deeper look at how I can benefit the U.S-Japan relationship." Read More >> |
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TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Female Entrepreneurship Support Program: Discussions on Improving Work-Life Balance
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On March 27, 2017, a symposium on “Work-Life Balance at Social Enterprises and Nonprofit Organizations” took place at Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd as part of the TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Female Entrepreneurship Support Program.
Japan has a significantly lower number of female entrepreneurs than other countries. In order to ameliorate this situation, the TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Female Entrepreneurship Support Program aims to develop female entrepreneurs who can act as role models for other women who aspire to become future leaders.
The symposium began with remarks by Kathy Matsui, Vice-Chair of Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd., followed by presentations and a panel discussion. The presentations were led by Tomoko Shirai, Representative Trustee of Toybox, and Keisuke Motoki, Co-Founder of Kamonohashi Project, who discussed the results of their respective projects during this program.
The second part of the symposium consisted of a networking session, at which the presenters, panelists, and attendees enjoyed connecting with each other. Read More >>
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TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program: Students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Travel to Japan and Share their Learnings from the Program
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From March 23 – March 31, 2017, twenty-three students and two chaperones from the University of Hawaii at Manoa traveled to Japan as part of the TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program. During the program, the students visited historical landmarks in Yokohama and Tokyo. The students also visited Kyushu University, where they compared the education systems in Japan and the United States with local students. At the program’s debriefing session on March 30, the students presented their learnings and discoveries. They also had an opportunity to discuss their experiences with TOMODACHI alumni, who also participated in study abroad programs through the TOMODACHI Initiative. Read More >> |
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Fukushima High School Students from the 2017 TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program Pay a Courtesy Call to Fukushima Governor
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On March 27, 2017, the Fukushima high school students who participated in the 2017 TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program paid a courtesy call to Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori. The students shared their experiences and findings with Governor Uchibori, and presented the proceeds from the charity concert they held at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, located in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. Read More (Honda Motor Co., Ltd website; Japanese only) >>
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Voices of the TOMODACHI Generation
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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May 1 - 13
May 20
May 21
May 21
May 21
May 27
May 27 - 28
Jun. 3 - 4
Jun. 17 - 18
Jun. 24 - Jul. 10
Jun. 29
Jun. 30 - Jul. 8
Jul. 21 - Aug. 11
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TOMODACHI Alumni Activities
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TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2017 Held in Tohoku for the First Time - The Winning Team Presents their Action Plan at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and the U.S. Embassy
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From March 18 – 20, 2017, the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy (GLA) 2017 was held in Miyagi Prefecture, with 49 TOMODACHI alumni from Tohoku currently attending high school or university participating in workshops to nurture global perspectives. In addition, participants worked with young professional mentors to develop action plans to tackle various challenges facing local communities. This program is made possible by generous support from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Ryoma Ueta from Koriyama, Fukushima, reflected on his experience from the Academy, saying, “It was my first time participating in GLA, and it was very valuable to be able to spend three days with people from my generation who hope to become global leaders. The topic I was given was something I had never thought about before, but I found a connection between the topic and myself, and was able to take it very seriously and think about it as something personal. I would like to continue giving back to my community by planning activities with the connections I made during the Academy.”
On March 30, the winning team traveled to Tokyo and visited Bank of America Merrill Lynch as well as the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, where they had an opportunity to present their action plan. Read More >> |
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Recruitment for TOMODACHI Program Participants
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Please forward and share these opportunities with people who may be interested.
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Recruitment Open for the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima supported by the TOMODACHI Combini Fund
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TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima supported by the TOMODACHI Combini Fund provides career support to second-year high school women living in Fukushima prefecture. Through special sessions with students who have studied abroad and professional women, the program explains the many options that high school women have for the future, which will lead to development of leaders in the Fukushima prefecture.
For more information and to apply, click here (Japanese only).
Application Deadline:
Participants: Monday, June 12
Mentors: Thursday, June 1
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Applications Now Open for the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program!
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From August 7 to September 8, 2017, twenty-five university students and young professionals will visit the United States to participate in a five week experiential leadership training program in Seattle, Washington.
The TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of Japanese social entrepreneurs and community leaders between the ages of 18 – 25 who are prepared to make a positive difference throughout Japan.
For more information and to apply, click here (Japanese only).
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 30
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Marketing & Communications Manager (Tokyo Office)
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The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and the TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking a Marketing & Communications Manager that will develop and implement a comprehensive strategic communications program to develop the profile and brand of TOMODACHI among a diverse audience and stakeholders, including senior corporate executives, government leaders, recipients of support, donors, press and the general public. For more information and to apply, click here. |
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Intern, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative (Tokyo Office)
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The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and the TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking unpaid interns for this Spring and Summer. U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and TOMODACHI offers an exciting environment for interns to be exposed to non-profit, corporate, and government fields. Responsibilities for interns include creating and drafting documents, translation, website management, social media management, newsletter development support, public speaking, communication with program participants, designing presentations and posters, and event planning. For more information and to apply, click here. |
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