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Update from Team TOMODACHI
August 2015
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High School Students Develop and Share Community Action Plans for Tohoku Recovery
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In its fourth year, the TOMODACHI Summer 2015 SoftBank Leadership Program took 100 Tohoku high school students to Northern California to participate in an intensive three-week global leadership development and community service workshop at the University of California, Berkeley from July 21 to August 12. The participants, who are all from the disaster affected areas of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, had the opportunity to participate in this program due to the generous support of SoftBank Group Corp.
During the first two weeks of the program, students learned about the Y-PLAN (“Youth-Plan, Learn, Act, Now!”) methodology, which prompted them to identify and create solutions for problem areas in the region. Through this problem solving workshop, the students gained leadership skills while learning how to positively impact regional communities.
During the last week of the program, the students used what they learned to construct an action plan for their communities in Tohoku. Based on their experiences during and since the 3.11 disaster, the students developed and presented 66 action plans. Some of the plans capitalized on students’ talents in their area of specialty, while others dealt with problems that are not only prevalent in Tohoku but also throughout Japan, such as aging population and low birth rate. Six of the plans received special awards from SoftBank Group Corp.’s Corporate Officer and the General Manager of the Human Resources Department, Fumihiro Aono, and the President of the U.S.-Japan Council, Irene Hirano Inouye. More>>
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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Participants Speak at Closing Ceremony for TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy
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On August 10, American and Japanese high school students from the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy presented their own models for a disaster resilient community. From August 4 to 11, these next generation science leaders learned about disaster resilience through earthquake resistant tower building activities, field trips to learn about the latest technology in Japan and Toshiba smart houses, and tours of Japanese cultural sites, such as Mount Takao and Asakusa.
The Japanese and American students used what they had learned to collaborate on presentations about better leveraging technology, communication, and organization to create smart communities. The presentations focused on issues such as energy, transportation, healthcare, natural disasters, pollution, and combatting street crime to create safer and more efficient cities. Special guest Bill Nye expressed awe following the students’ presentations: “You were brought here to share the vision of the future where everyone has the chance to contribute to a better world… to change the world!” More>>
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Bill Nye Inspires a New Generation of Scientists and Space Explorers at Miraikan
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On August 6, Bill Nye, otherwise known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” gave a lecture on space exploration at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Tokyo. Almost 300 people attended the event, a majority of whom were Japanese students. Dr. Mamoru Mohri, a Japanese astronaut who flew on two NASA space shuttle missions and the current Executive Director of Miraikan, made the opening speech at the event.
During his lecture, titled “The Science Guy: Science Can Save the World!”, Nye spoke about the future of space exploration and social and political issues in the science field, such as the importance of combatting climate change and the need to foster more women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Nye also wowed the audience with his vortex ring generator—a cardboard box that shot out smoke rings. Bill Nye proved to the people at Miraikan that, indeed, “Science Rocks!”
The event was co-hosted by the U.S. National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Miraikan, and was supported by the Toshiba International Foundation and The Yomiuri Shimbun. More>>
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2015 Building the TOMODACHI Generation Summer Volunteer Program
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On August 6, six U.S. participants from Team Fuku Mirai and Team Itadaki reunited with their eight Japanese counterparts in Tokyo and embarked on a five-day journey to Tohoku and back to cap off the 2015 Building the TOMODACHI Generation program. Their volunteer and study tour brought into focus the reality of the continuing challenges on the ground in Tohoku and reinforced the need for long-term, cross sector partnerships in the wake of natural disasters and resulting social problems similar to the ones they developed in February in Washington, D.C. Their journey took them to the towns of Ishinomaki and Minamisanriku of Miyagi prefecture — two of the hardest hit towns in the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. More>>
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TOMODACHI U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange Program 2015 Student Presentation and Reception
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On July 29, six students from Washington, D.C., six students from Keio Shonan Fujisawa Senior High School, and two students from Tohoku came together to present what they learned after travelling to Tohoku together on the TOMODACHI U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange Program. This event marked the halfway point of the program, as the students prepare to head to Washington, D.C. together for the second half of the two-way exchange.
During the presentations, the students shared their experiences and what they learned from these experiences, which included work with local NPOs, visits with local fishermen, visits with senior survivors of the disaster, and a meeting with the Mayor of Minami-sanriku. Korey Carter expressed how impressed he was by the resilience of Mayor Jin Sato of Minami-sanriku, who barely survived the tsunami. Carter observed that listening to the Mayor taught him that “something good can always come from the bad, no matter how bad it is.” More>>
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Young Japanese Leaders with Disabilities Participate in the TOMODACHI ADA25 Lead On! Program
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From July 22 to August 5, twenty four young Japanese leaders with disabilities from all over Japan joined the ADA25 Celebration in Washington, D.C. organized by National Council on Independent Living (NCIL). July 26, 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is the first anti-discrimination law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The participants had a great opportunity to engage with their international counterparts and share what they are working on in their respective countries to further develop visions and strategies as International Human Rights Leaders. More>>
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Students from Randolph Macon College Return to Virginia After Visiting Minamisanriku on the TOMODACHI Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund Research Exchange Program
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Four students from Randolph Macon College (RMC) and their faculty advisors that comprised the TOMODACHI Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund (TAMF) Research Exchange Program recently returned to Ashland, Virginia from their two-week research trip to Japan. The participants spent the majority of their time in the Tohoku region, visiting the disaster-affected areas of Ishinomaki, Onagawa, Watanoha and interacting with the local community. They also visited Tokyo, where they participated in cultural activities such as attending a kabuki performance in addition to sightseeing.
Upon returning to the U.S. the students presented their research at the Annual SURF Symposium at the college. In September 2015, students and faculty from Ishinomaki Senshu University will travel to Randolph Macon College to continue the research collaboration. More>>
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Locating the “Sunshine Spot”
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“Get self-absorbed, stretch yourself, and make your own luck….These are the three steps that will help you make a career pivot.” As Darren Menabney walked across the stage gesturing with his hands, the audience members nodded in agreement. Here was a man telling them that it was indeed okay to take risks; that there was nothing wrong with pursuing their passions in order to drive their career. Mr. Menabney’s statements stirred discussion as alumni were prompted to explore their passions, what fueled that passion, and their goals at the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program event supported by Prudential Foundation, “Effective Cross-Cultural Leadership” held on August 13. More>>
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Register Now for the 2015 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference!
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The 2015 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference will be held from November 9-10, 2015 in Tokyo at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel (with select programming before and after these dates). The conference will highlight the importance of the enduring partnership of our two countries and of working across sectors and generations to envision and achieve a more vibrant and dynamic U.S.-Japan relationship that benefits both countries as well as the greater Asia-Pacific region. For more information on the conference, click here
To register for the 2015 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, click here
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TOMODACHI Alumni: Register Now for TOMODACHI Generation Summit
Beyond 2020 Vision: Going Global with the U.S. Japan Partnership
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TOMODACHI alumni who are university students and/or young professionals are invited to join this inaugural TOMODACHI Generation Summit on November 8, 2015 in Tokyo.The program includes inspirational keynote plenary sessions, hands-on skills building workshops, alumni activity presentations, and various networking opportunities. There will be a reception in the evening in which participants will have an opportunity to meet U.S.-Japan Council members, presenters, and other TOMODACHI alumni to broaden networks and strengthen people-to-people relationships.
For more information, click here
- Pre-register for the TOMODACHI Generation Summit here
This TOMODACHI Generation Summit is made possible by the generous support of the Prudential Foundation, sponsor of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
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TOMODACHI NAJAS Grassroots Exchange Programs Summer 2015
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The TOMODACHI Initiative and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) has developed a partnership that seeks to develop cultural exchange program for the Japanese and American youth. In August 2015, the Grassroots Exchange Programs included:
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TOMODACHI Ties Through Taiko took twelve students from Nihon Fukushi Daigaku High School in Mihama, Aichi prefecture, Japan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and performed a joint concert at the end of the exchange
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*TOMODACHI Southern California-Fukushima Youth Cultural Exchange Program took eight youths from orphanages in Japan to Los Angeles, California for an interactive cultural exchange experience (Note: We cannot show their faces due to privacy concerns as these children are in sensitive situations)
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These grassroots programs are unique in terms of program participants, locations, and activities, and are all bound by the common goal of providing young Japanese and Americans with the opportunity to cultivate their global mindsets by being exposed to a different culture.
*These TOMODACHI NAJAS programs are possible through the generous contributions made by the Fund for Exchanges supported by Mitsubishi Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Hitachi Ltd.
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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Sept. 1-4 Approximately 50 university students will participate in The 5th U.S. Embassy-Keio SFC-TOMODACHI Entrepreneurship Seminar at the Keio University Hiyoshi Campus.
Sept 1-10 Six middle school and high school students along with three chaperones from Ishinomaki will be traveling to St. Louis, Missouri on the NAJAS (Y3) St.Louis-Ishinomaki Cultural Exchange Program 2015
Sept. 11 Nineteen female university students will participate in the first of five workshop sessions for the Tokyo TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program
Sept. 6-17 The Ishinomaki Senshu University students will be traveling to Ashland, Virginia on the TOMODACHI Randolph Macon College-Ishinomaki Senshu University Research Exchange Program for research and exchange activities
Sept. 18 Ten female university students will participate in the first of five workshop sessions for the Osaka TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program
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Recruitment for Upcoming TOMODACHI Programs
Please forward and share these opportunities with people who may be interested.
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TOMODACHI Internship Program
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 This internship program, administered by Temple University, Japan Campus, enables American university students to participate in internships in Japan in a wide variety of sectors, including government, financial services, NPO/NGO, media, entertainment, fashion, journalism, IT, and consulting.
Application Deadline for internships in spring 2016 is October 1, 2015. For more information,click here
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Apply Now: TOMODACHI Suntory Music Scholarship Fund for Fall 2016
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 Apply for the TOMODACHI Suntory Music Scholarship Fund, which creates opportunities for young Japanese to attend three of the most prestigious music schools in the United States: The Juilliard School; Berklee College of Music; and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Individuals interested in the scholarship must first apply directly to each educational institution. For more information, click here
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