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Update from Team TOMODACHI
January 2016
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High School Students from Iwate Prefecture Participate in the Rose Parade in Los Angeles and Experience American Culture
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 From December 26, 2015 to January 9, 2016, twenty high school students from Iwate prefecture participated in the TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
As part of the program, the students participated in an iconic American New Year’s tradition, the historic Rose Parade, which was sponsored by American Honda Motor Co.. The Japanese students also had an opportunity to participate in a musical performance with approximately 250 students in the local community, deepening U.S.-Japan relationships through this cultural exchange.
Prior to the parade, the students assisted in decorating the American Honda float. As this year’s concept was “Nature’s Hope,” the students helped display the harmony between national parks in the United States and Japan in their decorations. In addition to participating in the Rose Parade, the students from Iwate experienced various cultural exchanges including dialogue and exchanges with college and high school students from the local community, volunteer activities, and homestays. Read More>>
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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Students from the Third Phase of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program, Students Meet With Successful Global Career Women
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The third phase of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima was launched in Tokyo from December 19-20, 2015. One hundred and twenty Fukushima girls gathered to hear from three young professional women from eight companies, which included female employees from Lawson and FamilyMart Co., Ltd. that comprises the TOMODACHI Combini Fund. Under the theme, “Making Choices for My Future,” the women shared the roles of their companies in society, their experience in the workforce, their life stories, and final words to the high school students. Funded by the TOMODACHI Combini Fund, this four-phased program provides mentoring and career advice for 120 female high school students from Fukushima prefecture, providing them with exposure and options they may never have had otherwise. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholars Visit New York City and Washington, D.C. on the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Scholars Winter Leadership Program
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"This week was the most impressive week in my life. Sumitomo Corporation and U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) organized great opportunities for us, and every meeting made me consider what I am able to do in order to contribute to the society in the future.”
- Natsumi Komatsu, Physics, Rice University
Three of the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholars who are currently studying in the United States for an academic year visited New York City and Washington, D.C. during the first week of January. This week-long leadership program, hosted and organized by Sumitomo Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation of the Americas (SCOA), provided the students an opportunity to learn more about Sumitomo, experience a homestay with SCOA executives, and present about their experiences during the first semester in the United States. As part of the program, the students also traveled to Washington, DC, taking part in U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) activities, meeting with USJC President, Irene Hirano Inouye, participating in a Young Professional and TOMODACHI Alumni Dinner, and attending hospitality dinners in the homes of USJC members. Read More>>
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Winners Announced for the TOMODACHI Social Entrepreneurship Award at the University Venture Grand Prix Competition Hosted by METI
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On December 25, 2015, the 4th Annual University Venture Grand Prix (UVGP 2015) was held at Tokyo University’s FUKUTAKE Learning Theatre. Hosted by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), nine teams were chosen as finalists to pitch their projects to a panel of judges comprised of experienced entrepreneurs, professors, and industry leaders. Two teams, Luciole.Inc and MoonGlass, received the TOMODACHI Social Entrepreneurship Award, and will have the opportunity to travel to Silicon Valley, California in March 2016 to meet with various influential venture capitalists, local startups, large corporations, nonprofits, and fellow student entrepreneurs. Read More>>
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Take a Look at a Video of the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference 2015!
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A video summarizing the USJC Annual Conference 2015 is available online. Click the video below to take a look.
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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Jan 30-31 Twenty alumni will participate in the TOMODACHI Disaster Resilience Leadership Training Program in Tokyo
Feb 12-29 Twenty Japanese and 15 American university students will convene in Washington, DC for the Building the TOMODACHI Generation Program
Feb 22- Mar 25 Twenty five Japanese social entrepreneurs and community leaders will participate in an experiential leadership training in Seattle, Washington on the TOMODACHI Social Innovation in Seattle Fellows (SIIS) Program
Feb 21 – Mar 27 Ten Japanese university students will visit Houston, Texas on the TOMODACHI Rice University STEM Program in Houston, Texas
Mar 4 The TOMODACHI Initiative will host an event remembering the 5th year of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Mar 4-6 Sixty-three TOMODACHI alumni will gather in Tokyo for the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy
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Recruitment for TOMODACHI Program Participants
Please forward and share these opportunities with people who may be interested.
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For U.S. High School Students: Travel to Mie, Japan for the J7 Summit in April 2016
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 Exclusive Opportunity for U.S. high school students to travel to Mie, Japan and take part in the J7 Summit this April. As G7 leaders gather in Japan, youth delegates from the G7 countries will convene and talk in-depth about issues facing their respective societies. This year's theme is Environment and Sustainability. In youth sessions as well as in meetings with experts delegates will debate the key issues of the G7 from their perspective, exchange various perspectives and opinions, find common ground, and present their joint positions publicly. (Application Deadline: February 1, 2016) |
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For TOMODACHI Alumni in Tohoku: TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy
 Applications are now open for TOMODACHI alumni from Tohoku to apply for the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2016 that is taking place in Tokyo from March 4-6, 2016.
A total of 63 high school and university students who studied in the United States on a TOMODACHI Program will be selected to participate in a 3-day workshop during which time students will discuss the future of Tohoku and what the youth can do to contribute to society while learning teamwork and leadership skills.
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For TOMODACHI Alumni: TOMODACHI Alumni Learning Journey on Leadership
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 A two-day program on leadership development will be provided for TOMODACHI alumni in Tokyo on April 23-24, 2016. The Learning Journey lays a foundation for alumni to realize their leadership potential and provides networking support after the program. (Application Deadline: March 31, 2016)
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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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TOMODACHI Career Opportunities
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Executive Director, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) -Tokyo Office
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The Council seeks a talented, dynamic individual for a newly-created position of Executive Director, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan). The Executive Director will provide leadership and oversight of the Council’s general programs and activities and of the TOMODACHI Initiative. This will include responsibility for the implementation of program goals and objectives, providing leadership and oversight of program development and management, fundraising, communications and operations. The Executive Director will be based in Tokyo and manage the staff in Japan and will work closely with the U.S.-Japan Council (U.S.) staff in the United States.
For more information and to apply, click here
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Program Manager, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) -Tokyo Office
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Working under the direction of the Executive Director of U.S.-Japan Council (Japan), the Program Manager is responsible for helping to find, select, develop, manage, monitor and evaluate TOMODACHI programs, including managing relationships with implementing organizations. The Program Manager will work with individuals from the U.S.-Japan Council, the U.S. Embassy and other key TOMODACHI team members in the implementation of this mission.
For more information and to apply, click here
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