TOMODACHI Billboard Unveiled at Shibuya Station |
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While waiting for the train at Shibuya Station, a "friendly" sign might catch your eye. On March 7, an enormous TOMODACHI Billboard (measuring approx. 56 ft x 20 ft) was unveiled at the south exit platform of JR Shibuya Station. This colossal billboard, donated by an anonymous donor, will help raise awareness and support for the TOMODACHI Initiative. More » |
TOMODACHI “The Power of Music” Program and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra Tribute to 3.11 |
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A day before the 3rd anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Tokyo Philharmonic collaborated with the TOMODACHI Initiative to provide an unforgettable experience for young musicians from Fukushima and New York City.
The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra met with students from Fukushima University and students from the Special Music School in New York to take part in the TOMODACHI "The Power of Music" Young Musicians Engagement Program in New York City. The program included select performances by the students of the Special Music School, New York City's only public school for musically-gifted children, and a presentation by the conductor of the Tokyo Philharmonic, Eiji Oue, about differences and similarities between Western and Japanese music. The program culminated with a collaborative performance of the song "Hana wa Saku" played by Special Music School and Fukushima University students, alongside members of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra played at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall the following day to kick off its three-continent world tour celebrating its 100th anniversary. More » |
TOMODACHI Alumni Participate in TOMODACHI BEYOND Tomorrow Global Leadership Academy 2014 |
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Three years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI Program Alumni from Tohoku gathered to reflect on their experience and to find solutions to global problems.
On March 7, 72 Tohoku high school students -- part of the “TOMODACHI Generation” -- gathered in Tokyo for the TOMODACHI BEYOND Tomorrow Global Leadership Academy 2014. Students reflected on the events that arose from the March 11th disasters three years ago, shared their experience in the United States, and researched disaster relief and reconciliation efforts in Sumatra, Haiti and the Philippines. The three-day program for these TOMODACHI alumni culminated in a lunch reception where student groups presented their ideas. The reception was attended by notable guests such as U.S. Embassy in Japan Deputy Chief of Mission Kurt Tong, Japan’s First Lady Akie Abe and Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. Representative Director Tim Latimore. More » |
Voices from the TOMODACHI Generation about their experience at the Global Leadership Academy |
"I truly believe I will develop into a leader. The real prize from this [program] experience was learning to believe in myself, and realizing that unless I have faith in myself, I cannot expect others to place their faith in me." More »
-Koto Oota,
TOMODACHI Coca-Cola Educational
Homestay Participant 2013 |
"My dream is to become an attorney. I realized my potential because of this program, and I hope to use it to be an attorney that can be a bridge between Japan and the United States in the future." More »
-Yutaroh Kumagai,
TOMODACHI Dallas-Sendai Young
Ambassador’s Program 2013 |
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Japanese Participants from the “Building the TOMODACHI Generation” Program Return from Washington, DC, Present Projects and Share Experiences |
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On March 3, 16 Japanese university students gathered at the Tokyo American Center after returning from a two-week program in Washington, D.C. to explain to donor companies Morgan Stanley, Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Hitachi, Ltd., and other stakeholders about the impact of the program. These students, along with 12 American university students, participated in a rigorous curriculum that focused on strengthening civil society as a tool for addressing social challenges, particularly following a crisis or natural disaster like the one that struck the Tohoku region in 2011. The curriculum included the strengthening of key skills such as cross-cultural understanding, leadership, public speaking, social responsibility, innovation, problem-solving, critical thinking, communication and networking through participation in guided team-building exercises, discussions, workshops, a capstone project and other program activities. More » |
TOMODACHI U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange Program Students Gather on 3.11 in Washington, DC to Remember What They Learned in Japan |
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Six TOMODACHI U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange students in Washington, DC gathered on March 11 to present what they learned from their visit to Japan, which included a special trip to the Tohoku region. The presenters were DC public high school students who, along with six Japanese students from Keio High School, participated in the exchange program in the summer and fall of 2013. The Japanese students visited DC in July; the American students visited Japan in November. The DC students’ families, friends, educators and other Washington community members attended the presentation, which was held on the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. More » |
Social Innovation in Seattle TOMODACHI Scholars (iLEAP) |
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Twenty-five Japanese university students and young professionals arrived in Seattle, Washington on March 3 to commence the TOMODACHI iLEAP Social Innovation in Seattle Scholars (SIIS) program. In the first two weeks of the month-long program, scholars participated in leadership training workshops, volunteered at a local festival, visited community organizations and engaged in discussions on social entrepreneurship with various leaders. On March 13, the scholars participated in a reception held by members of the U.S.-Japan Council, which leads the TOMODACHI Initiative along with the U.S. Embassy. This engagement with leaders of the Japanese-American community gave scholars a unique opportunity to learn about the history and experience of Japanese-Americans in the United States. More »
Watch the following clip to hear iLEAP participant Yukie Hosoda share her experience of being a TOMODACHI Scholar and her future in Tohoku:
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TOMODACHI-SCORE Study Tour in California 2014 |
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From March 5-17, three high school students from Okinawa visited California to participate in the TOMODACHI-SCORE Study Tour 2014. The participating students were winners of an Okinawa-wide high school science competition, based on the applicability of their scientific research to business and everyday life. Over the course of the trip, they met with university students, local high school students and scientists, and visited universities, biotech companies, research institutions and science museums. In order to further their understanding of the applicability of science. More » |
Upcoming Programs and Events |
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Recruitment for TOMODACHI Program Participants |
Please forward and share these opportunities to students who may be interested. |
TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program |
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The TOMODACHI Initiative is now accepting applications for the 2014 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program. For more information and to apply for the program, click here.
The TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program is currently recruiting ten Americans and ten Japanese young professionals representing the public and private sectors. Participants would travel to each other’s country for one week to engage as a group and meet with established and up-and-coming leaders from business and government. This program provides outstanding young professionals with unique access to leaders in the U.S.-Japan arena and the opportunity to broaden their perspectives.
For this year’s participants, priority will be given (but not limited) to American applicants who reside in Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu, Nashville and Texas and Japanese applicants from Aichi, Fukuoka, Iwate, Okayama and Okinawa Prefectures.
Application Deadlines: American Delegation: April 11; Japanese Delegation: April 18 |
TOMODACHI-MetLife Women’s Leadership Program |
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The TOMODACHI-MetfLife Women’s Leadership Program 2014-2015 is now accepting applications for mentors (mid-career professional women) and mentees (university-aged women) in Japan. For more information and to apply for the program, click here.
This program will take place in four locations: Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha. Selected participants will be required to participate in all five meetings in their city (June 2014-February 2015), as well as the Annual TMWLP Conference in Tokyo in March 2015. The first meeting will take place in June 2014. A full schedule will be posted by May 30. Meetings will typically be held on Fridays from 18:15-21:00. All sessions will be conducted in English.
Application Deadline: April 21 |
TOMODACHI MUFG 2014 International Exchange Program |
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The TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program 2014 will select 26 junior high and high school students from the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures) to participate in a two-week program in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. More »
(Application Deadline: March 31) |
TOMODACHI Alumni Opportunity: English Language Study Program |
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