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Update from Team TOMODACHI
May 2015
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TOMODACHI Alumni Attend Reception for Pacific Vision 21 and Discuss Future of U.S.-Japan Relations
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 On May 8, eight TOMODACHI alumni had the opportunity to attend the opening reception for Pacific Vision 21, an initiative to strengthen ties between the United States and Japan by establishing a panel of distinguished Japanese and American leaders committed to outlining a blueprint for the bilateral relationship for the years ahead.
The alumni spoke with several dignitaries including former Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda; former Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki; Hideo Nomo, the second Japanese native to pitch in the American major leagues; and Yasushi Akashi, who served as United Nations Under-Secretary-General. U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano Inouye was among the delegates selected to participate in the Pacific Vision 21 meetings, and enjoyed greeting alumni at the kick-off event.
This was the second Pacific Vision 21 meeting, following an inaugural meeting on December 4, 2014. Alumni participation in high level delegations such as Pacific Vision 21 is part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program, sponsored by the Prudential Foundation. Read More>>
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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Just Released: TOMODACHI 2014 Annual Report is Now Available!
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Find out about all of TOMODACHI's 2014 programs and activities through our newly released annual report.
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TOMODACHI Program in Memory of Monty Dickson Sends University of Alaska Anchorage Students to Japan
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 From May 7-15, ten undergraduate students and two faculty members from the University of Alaska Anchorage visited Iwate prefecture as participants of the TOMODACHI University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) - Iwate University KAKEHASHI Program. This program is part of UAA's Geography and Environmental Studies Course, “Tsunami Lessons from Japan” that was launched by the UAA Montgomery Dickson Center for Japanese Language & Culture. During the program, students visited Rikuzentakata’s disaster zone, met with civic leaders, and learned about the reconstruction efforts.
The Anchorage area experienced a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 1964, and such a disaster is likely to occur again in the future. These students will study Japan’s reconstruction efforts in order to assist in drafting Alaska’s future disaster preparedness plans. More>>
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15th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo with Donations to TOMODACHI
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The 15th Annual World Gardening Fair at Hotel Okura Tokyo, showcasing gardens designed by foreign Ambassadors and their spouses, took place from May 2-6. The fair promoted international exchange through displaying other countries’ cultures, history, and garden trends, and included a garden designed by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. TOMODACHI charity boxes were placed throughout the hotel during the event, and a portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the TOMODACHI Initiative. More>>
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Parson’s Fashion Exhibit Showcases TOMODACHI UNIQLO Fellow’s Original Designs
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 On May 12, TOMODACHI UNIQLO Fellow Ryohei Kawanishi’s work was one of 15 featured graduate projects on exhibit at the Parsons Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) Fashion Design and Society Exhibition. Ryohei, one of Japan’s most talented young fashion designers, created eight “looks” as part of his graduate project, titled “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even.” This collection is a response to Marcel Duchamp’s enigmatic work of the same title, and showcases Ryohei’s technique, creativity, and humor. 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 2014 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, click here
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Over Thirty TOMODACHI Alumni Attend an “Event of the Alumni, by the Alumni, for the Alumni”
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 On May 16, over thirty alumni from the Tohoku region who currently attend universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area convened in Tokyo for TOMODACHI Alumni Day Vol. 2, “Event of the Alumni, by the Alumni, for the Alumni.” TOMODACHI alumni from across ten different programs participated in this full-day forum which featured student presentations, team-building workshops and professional networking opportunities.
The objective of Alumni Day, a part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program sponsored by the Prudential Foundation, is to provide leadership, skills building, and networking opportunities for alumni across TOMODACHI Initiative programs. More>>
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New! Take a Look at the Updated TOMODACHI Video!
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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May 29 TOMODACHI Alumni gather in Tokyo for the U.S.-Japan Council TOMODACHI Reception
May 30 Mentees and mentors from Tokyo, Osaka, Naha, and Fukuoka will meet for a year-end conference to conclude the 2014-2015 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program
June 8-20 iLEAP will bring 10 participants to Seattle, Washington, under the TOMODACHI FIRST (Food Innovation for Regional Sustainability in Tohoku) Program
June 22-24 Non-profit leaders in Japan will attend the InterAction Forum in Washington, D.C. as part of the TOMODACHI NGO Leadership Program supported by J.P. Morgan
June 27- July 12 The fourth TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program, will bring 20 American high school students from California to visit Tokyo, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Kyoto
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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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Apply to be a Mentor or Mentee for the 2015-2016 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program
 The TOMODACHI MetLife Women's Leadership Program, a 10-month mentorship program which pairs highly-motivated Japanese female university students with female mid-career professionals to encourage networking, is currently recruiting mentors and mentees for the 2015-2016 program. Participants will be recruited from Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha and will be invited to visit Washington, D.C. and New York City in spring 2016 to meet with business leaders, government officials, and nonprofit leaders.
Application Deadline: June 26, 2015. For more information, click here
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TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima
 Apply to be a Mentor
TOMODACHI is recruiting women in Fukushima who are interested in mentoring female high school students participating in the TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program. This program provides career support to female students living in Fukushima prefecture who are in their junior year of high school. For more information, click here (Japanese only)
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Apply to be a Mentee
TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima is a career support program for Fukushima prefecture female high school students in their junior year. Students will broaden their perspectives for their future and obtain the skills for becoming the next generation of leaders in the Fukushima area by meeting exchange students who are currently studying in Japan and participating in discussions with successful young professional women. For more information and to apply, click here (Japanese only) Application Deadline: June 8, 2015
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TOMODACHI Internship Program
 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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Residents in California: Support Japanese Students on the TOMODACHI SoftBank Summer 2015 Leadership Program
 Help Japanese high school students from Tohoku have a meaningful and life-changing experience on the TOMODACHI SoftBank Leadership Program by being a resident advisor (RA), camp director, program coordinator, mentor, homestay host, and/or homestay manager. These include paid and volunteer positions. For more information, click here
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Welcome Mr. Marc Lassman, the new Executive Director for the TOMODACHI Initiative in Tokyo
We are pleased to welcome Mr. Marc Lassman as the new Executive Director for the TOMODACHI Initiative. He will begin working in Tokyo on June 1. His bio is as follows:
Marc Lassman received his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and his J.D. from the University of Colorado. He is a former JET program participant who lived and worked in Hokkaido for three years. He is also a licensed U.S. attorney. After approximately 8 years of U.S. domestic legal practice experience, Mr. Lassman received a LLM degree in International Law from the University of Nottingham, England, and embarked on a career in international development. He worked for more than 14 years internationally, primarily directing U.S. government-funded projects in numerous countries in the Balkans, former Soviet Union, and the Middle East. Following his time as a JET, Mr. Lassman kept strong contacts with Japan, visiting often. During one of these trips he met his wife. Mr. Lassman maintained strong relations with the Japanese community in the countries where he lived and worked, collaborating with the Japanese Embassy and helping to raise money for relief services following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Laura Winthrop Abbot, outgoing Executive Director of TOMODACHI Initiative, is relocating to Washington, D.C. She will begin working at the U.S.-Japan Council headquarters as Senior Vice President on June 2.
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TOMODACHI Career Opportunities
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U.S.-Japan Council, TOMODACHI Initiative
Marketing & Communications Manager/Specialist, Tokyo Office
Working under the direction of the Executive Director of the TOMODACHI Initiative in Japan, the Marketing & Communications Manager/Specialist (exact title to be confirmed based on experience of the candidate) plays a critical role in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic marketing strategy to build and develop the profile and brand of the TOMODACHI Initiative among a diverse audience, including senior corporate executives, government leaders, recipients of support, other donors and the press. The Marketing & Communications Manager/Specialist will work closely with teams from the U.S.-Japan Council in the United States and Japan, and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo in the implementation of this mission.
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