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Update from Team TOMODACHI
March 2016
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TOMODACHI Holds a Reception, “Remembering 3.11—Five Years Later”
Memorandum of Cooperation Signed with the Government of Japan and
TOMODACHI Fund for Exchanges Renewed Support for TOMODACHI
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On March 4, the TOMODACHI Initiative hosted a reception to commemorate the fifth year since the Great East Japan Earthquake. At the reception, TOMODACHI and its partners announced further support for the rebuilding of Tohoku and the fostering of next generation leaders.
The event featured a signing ceremony for the "Memorandum of Cooperation on Enhanced Partnership in Support of the TOMODACHI Initiative Between the Government of Japan and the U.S.-Japan Council" with Miki Yamada, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), representing the Government of Japan, and Irene Hirano Inouye, USJC President. The Memorandum formally established the relationship between TOMODACHI and MOFA—a relationship which has already existed unofficially for several years. In conjunction with this, MOFA appointed Ambassador Masaharu Kohno as the Government of Japan's Senior Advisor to the TOMODACHI Initiative.
 Prior to the signing ceremony, a roundtable discussion was held with TOMODACHI alumni from Tohoku, representatives from the Government of Japan and the U.S. Embassy, and Irene Hirano Inouye. Topics included the progress made in rebuilding Tohoku, the activities and impact of TOMODACHI to date, and the roles of the young people from Tohoku and beyond who will become future leaders.
Since TOMODACHI's establishment in 2012, there have been over 4,600 program participants, with over 2,600 from the Tohoku region.
 The reception was attended by approximately 200 guests, including representatives of companies that have contributed to and partnered with TOMODACHI. U.S. Embassy Tokyo Charge d'Affairs Jason P. Hyland, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Yamada, and Irene Hirano Inouye spoke at the reception. Yorihiko Kojima, Chairman of the Board for Mitsubishi Corporation, spoke on behalf of the TOMODACHI Fund for Exchanges, which just renewed its support for Tohoku. TOMODACHI alumnus Fumiya Otani from Iwate prefecture shared what he learned in the United States. To conclude the program, Caitlin McDermott, representing TOMODACHI alumni from America, recited a poem she wrote regarding the strength and resilience of the people from Tohoku. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI and USJC Commemorate Fifth Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake
March 11, 2016 marked five years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The anniversary serves as a time to reflect on those who have lost their lives, the progress made in the recovery of Tohoku, as well as how we can further support the region and its youth. USJC and the TOMODACHI Initiative have hosted or supported many events, some of which are detailed in this newsletter.
Click here for a message from USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye, and information about other events held around the United States and Japan. |
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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TOMODACHI Alumni Participate in Takeakari Project with First Lady Akie Abe on March 11 in Memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Victims
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"By spending March 11th in the affected region and speaking with the local residents, I learned that the disaster nor the recovery are over. This became a 3.11 that will certainly stay in my heart in an unforgettable way," said Nami Yanagawa, a TOMODACHI alumna originally from Ichinoseki.
 She was one of five college students—all members of the TOMODACHI Generation—that traveled to Yamamotocho on the border of Miyagi and Fukushima on March 11 to take part in a memorial project for the fifth year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, in which they lit bamboo lanterns carved by people across Japan, lighting hope for Tohoku's continued recovery. The lanterns were created as part of the Takeakari Project, supported by the First Lady of Japan, Mrs. Akie Abe, who attended the memorial and spoke words of remembrance and tribute to those that have been lost, and reminded all of us that we are still rebuilding. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2016: Tohoku Alumni Discover Their Own Voices and Leadership Styles
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“I was able to have confidence in my leadership style thanks to my team members,” said Kazuki Kokubun, participant of the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2016. The Academy enabled TOMODACHI alumni from Tohoku to experience and witness the power of teamwork and learning from one another.
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Nearly 60 alumni representing 12 TOMODACHI programs participated in the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy, which began on March 4 in Tokyo. It provided an opportunity for students to not only look back on the past five years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but to also think about how they can stay connected and committed to their communities for the next five years, until 2020.
Generously funded by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, the three-day academy was comprised of multiple workshops in which students discussed the overall theme of social innovation through education, entrepreneurship, and technology featuring speaker sessions and a career night. Employees of Bank of America Merrill Lynch also joined the program as mentors to support and facilitate discussions with the TOMODACHI alumni. The academy ended with a lunch reception at Haneda Airport’s Galaxy Hall, courtesy of Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., in which the students and mentors presented their final action plan. Read More>>
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Building the TOMODACHI Generation Program Continues to Inspire Innovative Ideas for Towns in Tohoku
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The Building the TOMODACHI Generation Program came to a close in Washington, DC on February 26 after two weeks in which 19 Japanese and 15 American university students learned about civil society and its role in the United States and in Japan. After engaging in discussions and lectures on civil society and developing an understanding of cross-sector partnerships, students were asked to develop projects that address the ongoing issues facing the Tohoku region. By working closely together for two days, students developed cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, and communication skills while building friendships.
Yumeko Inoue of Sophia University said, “This program has been a great learning opportunity. I learned many things about civil society, as well as teamwork skills and skills needed in the global field, but most of all, this program made me realize that we each have different strengths and if we could combine them, we can bring about changes to create sustainable and resilient environments.” Read More>>
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Global Classmates Program supported by TOMODACHI Engages More Than 1,300 Students in a Virtual Language and Cultural Exchange
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More than 1,300 high school students in American and Japan were paired for a six-month virtual language and cultural exchange on the Global Classmates Program supported by TOMODACHI from September 2015 to February 2016. The program paired 21 high schools that have English classes in Japan with high schools in the United States that offer Japanese language classes.
A students from Fukushima Minami High School in Fukushima Prefecture commented, "The program was a great opportunity to practice the English I had learned in class and it was also educational to see real-life English. Also, trying to figure out how to phrase things in Japanese so that they will understand allowed me to think independently." Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Social Media Campaign Receives Over 150 Messages To and From Tohoku, Five Years from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
Thank you to everyone who submitted and posted photos and messages of support to Tohoku and from Tohoku! Approximately one hundred and fifty messages were sent from friends and partners of TOMODACHI, including program participants, alumni, business executives, public sector officials, and U.S.-Japan Council members.
On March 4, the photos were shown as a slideshow at the TOMODACHI Reception, “Remembering 3.11—Five Years Later.” Click on the slideshow below and take a look!
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To see what others have posted, click here
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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Mar 19-25 Ten Japanese participants of the TOMODACHI STEM Program @ Rice University Program will travel to Washington, DC for meetings with researchers and science experts, as well as leadership training activities
Mar 20-27 Two of the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Scholars will visit New York City and Washington, DC for a week-long leadership program hosted by Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
Mar 22-29 Mentees of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program visit Washington, DC and New York City
Mar 26 - Apr 4 An orchestra of students from ten Fukushima high schools and middle schools will go to Boston, Massachusetts for music workshops and exchange programs with American youth orchestras on the TOMODACHI Fukushima Youth Sinfonietta Program
Apr 3 The TOMODACHI Fukushima Youth Synfonietta will make their debut in America at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. For tickets, click here
Apr 8-10 Approximately 34 university students will gather in Dallas, Texas for the TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Conference
Apr 23-24 The TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program Annual Conference will be held in Tokyo at the New Otani Hotel
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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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Japanese High School Students: Apply Now to the 5th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program
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 TOMODACHI Initiative and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) are recruiting Japanese students to participate in the 5th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program!
Twenty high school students from the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures) will be selected to participate. This program will send these students to Los Angeles, California and its suburbs to participate in a two-week program from July 23 to August 6, 2016. (Application Deadline: March 31, 2016) Read More>> |
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Japanese High School Students: Apply to the TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program
 Applications are open for Japanese high school students from the disaster-affected prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima to participate in the TOMODACHI Summer 2016 SoftBank Leadership Program that will take place from July 21 to August 11, 2016 (dates are tentative). Fully funded by the SoftBank Group, this program will send 100 Japanese high school students to the University of California, Berkeley for an intensive three-week workshop focused on global leadership development and community service. The goal is for the participants to utilize what they learn on the program to strengthen their local communities in Tohoku and to become active leaders after returning to Japan. (Application Deadline: March 31, 2016) Read More>>
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American and Japanese Young Professionals: Apply Now to the TOMODACHI Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program
 Generously funded by Mitsui & Co., Ltd., this program advocates bicultural exchange, provides young professional participants with unique access to leaders in the U.S.-Japan arena, and offers them an opportunity to broaden their perspectives to enhance their work or initiatives. For more information and to apply, click here.
The American Delegation will travel to Tokyo and Fukushima, Japan from July 1-9, 2016. (Application Deadline: April 8, 2016)
The Japanese Delegation will travel to Detroit, Michigan and Washington, DC from September 11-19, 2016. (Application Deadline: April 15, 2016)
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Japanese University Students: Apply Now to the Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship 2016
 The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance to undergraduates for a term or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council funds these scholarships for students for whom study abroad would not be possible without financial support.
The scholarship will support up to the full cost of attendance to a study abroad program of the applicant’s choice. The scholarship amount will be determined by the applicant’s financial need and other qualifications. (Application Deadline: April 1, 2016) Read More>>
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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 from 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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