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Update from Team TOMODACHI
March 2018

Cross-Sector Innovation and Global Leadership a Core Theme of Creating the Future Together at the 2018 TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy

From March 22 to 25, the TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy (GLA) 2018 welcomed its 7th consecutive year back in Tokyo. The program was extended to four days and a total of 49 TOMODACHI Alumni (high school and college students) from Tohoku gathered at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center.

The program rolled out under the theme “Creating the Future Together” and focused on the concepts of cross-sector innovation and global leadership as we looked towards the future to 2050. The program has a built in a tiered-style leadership program that encourages alumni to continue to heighten their leadership skills through different roles – the program has a high school participant component, a college student leader component, and a college student staff member component.

This program is made possible with generous support from the TOMODACHI Fund for Exchanges Donors: Toyota Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Hitachi, Ltd. Read More>>

21 Japanese and American Students Discuss the Role of Civil Society and Join Forces in Washington, D.C., to Develop a Project to Solve Social Problems

From February 17, 2018, 12 Japanese students visited Washington, D.C., for two weeks to attend the Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Morgan Stanley Ambassadors Program. The 12 Japanese students and 9 American students spent two weeks together for cultural exchange and leadership development, and ultimately learned about a multitude of cross-sector partnerships designed to solve various social challenges.

In the first section of the program, the students learned the theoretical and practical concepts of civil society through lectures and panel discussions. In addition, the students learned about social issues in the Tohoku region to deepen their understanding of the role of civil society in the U.S. and Japan. The students were divided into three teams, with four Japanese students and three American students in a team, to develop a project that leverages the strengths of civil society to resolve persistent issues in the Tohoku region. Read More>>

 

The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities

TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program Alumni Discuss Regional Collaboration with the U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka

On February 21, four alumni of the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program in Kyushu had a meeting at the Fukuoka American Center with Joy Sakurai, Principal Officer of the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka.

Mr. Takahiro Hotta, alumnus of the 2017 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program, shared his experiences and learnings from the program. He communicated that he could not attend some program sessions in Tokyo as he was in charge of disaster risk management for the Fukuoka Prefectural Government when heavy rain hit northern Kyushu. He also noted that Hurricane Harvey struck right before visiting Houston for the program and reflected, “Learning about FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and its training programs on emergency management made me realize the important role education plays in emergency management.” Read More>>

Six Students Attend a Study Tour Held in Silicon Valley and Learn the Importance of Taking on Challenges Without Fear

Three finalist teams from the 7th U.S. Embassy-Keio SFC-TOMODACHI Entrepreneurship Seminar that took place on November 23, 2017, attended a Silicon Valley Study Tour from February 14 to 21, 2018. Please read more about the final session, where the finalist teams were selected, here.

For the students from Kyushu and Toyama, this study tour was a unique opportunity to learn the value of having a global perspective as well as the importance of taking on challenges without fear of failure. The students that had lacked the assertiveness to take initiative before the tour came home more self-confident and with a better understanding of their strengths. Read More>>

The TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program Sends 200 American and Japanese Students Abroad to Deepen Understanding of US-Japan Relations

The TOMODACHI KAKEHASHI Inouye Scholars Program provides the opportunity for 100 Japanese students and 100 American students (a total of 200 students) to travel to America and Japan for a 10-day youth exchange program. The Japanese students visited America in February and the American students visited Japan in March.

This program was established to honor the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s great contributions towards the U.S.-Japan relationship. The participants learned about his legacy, his elected state (Hawaii), his contributions towards the U.S.-Japan relationship, and his dedicated efforts and belief in public service. Students also went on cultural visits and exchanges to further deepen their understanding. Read More>>

Upcoming Programs and Events
February 23 - March 30


March 21 - 29

 
March 25 - 30



March 26 - 30


April 5 - 8
 

June 10
TOMODACHI-STEM @ Rice University Program in Houston, Taxas and Washington D.C.

TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program U.S. Trip in Washington D.C. and New York

TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program Spring Leadership Program in Washington D.C. and New York City

TOMODACHI Social Entrepreneurship Program U.S. Trip in Silicon Valley
 
TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference VI in Los Angeles, California
 
2017-2018 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program Annual Conference in Tokyo
TOMODACHI Alumni Activities
Regional Leaders and Mentors Attend the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework’s Inaugural Orientation

On March 10 and 11, 2018, the inaugural orientation for TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework took place at Wilson Learning Worldwide office in Tokyo. The TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework leaders represent seven major regions in Japan and aim to strengthen the network of the TOMODACHI Generation while providing the Regional Leaders and Mentors the opportunity to take part in hands-on leadership and mentorship training. This is the second year since the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework was established, and a diverse group of high school students and young professionals attended the orientation. Read More>>

Recruitment for TOMODACHI Program Participants
Please forward and share these opportunities with people who may be interested. 
Applications Open for the 2018 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program

Applications Open for the 2018 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program !

Entering its sixth year, this exchange program provides participants with unique access to leaders in the U.S.-Japan arena, and the opportunity to broaden their perspectives to enhance work or initiatives in their professional fields. Ten American and ten Japanese young professionals from a mix of public and private sectors will 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.

The American delegation will travel to Miyagi Prefecture and Tokyo, and the Japanese delegation will travel to Boston, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Application Deadline:
April 5, 2018 (for American applicants)
April 19, 2018 (for Japanese applicants)

For more information and to apply: click here.
Applications Open for the 7th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program

Applications Open for the 7th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program !

Up to twenty middle and high school students from the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures) will be selected to participate in the 7th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program. This program will send these students to Los Angeles, California and its suburbs to participate in a two-week program from July 26 to August 9, 2018.

The program is designed for the next generation leaders of Japan, to deepen the mutual understanding between the United States and Japan. It offers opportunities to experience a homestay, visits to various cultural sites and organizations that may lead to an interest in studying abroad, working overseas, or involvement with international exchanges in the future.

Application Deadline: April 13, 2018
For more information and to apply: click here.

Applications Open for the TOMODACHI Summer 2018 SoftBank Leadership Program
Applications Now Open for the TOMODACHI Summer 2018 SoftBank Leadership Program !

The program will take place from July 20 to August 9, 2018 (dates are tentative), sending 100 Japanese high school students from the disaster affected prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima to the University of California, Berkeley, for an intensive three-week workshop focused on community-based projects and leadership development. Launched in 2012, the program is now entering its seventh year.
 
Application Deadline: April 1, 2018 
For more information and to apply: click here.
Applications Open for the TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program
Applications Now Open for the TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program !

High school students who have Japanese nationality from all over Japan are eligible to apply. The program will take place from August 15 to 29, 2018 in Los Angeles, California, and Marysville, Ohio, where Honda’s sales offices and manufacturing base are located. This program aims to provide an experiential learning opportunity for the next generation leaders to enhance global leadership skills and experience cultural exchanges between the United States and Japan. 
 
Application Deadline:
March 30, 2018 (Online applications)

For more information and to apply: click here.
TOMODACHI Opportunities

Marketing & Communications Manager (Tokyo Office)

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.

Intern, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative (Tokyo Office)

The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and the TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking unpaid interns. U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and TOMODACHI offer 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.

Update from Team TOMODACHI - March 2018

For donors, supporters, and friends of the TOMODACHI Initiative and
the TOMODACHI Generation.


Website: www.tomodachi.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/USJapanTOMODACHI
Twitter: @TOMODACHI

Email: tomodachi@usjapancouncil.org


Led by the U.S.-Japan Council, and the United States Embassy Tokyo, the TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs.
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