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Update from Team TOMODACHI
October & November 2021
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10th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program: Students Experience Studying Abroad in the U.S. Virtually
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Thirteen junior high and high school students from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures participated in their final debriefing session on November 21 as part of the 10th TOMODACHI MUFG International Exchange Program. Everyone actively engaged in training sessions for about a month and a half despite the uncertainties of taking part in a virtual program.
At the orientation held on October 31, Mr. Kanetsugu Mike, Chairman at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., and Suzanne Basalla, U.S.-Japan Council President & CEO, offered words of encouragement to the participants.
The program included a leadership training session conducted by the Japanese American National Museum. Additionally, students were able to participate in a virtual cultural exchange with high school students who were studying Japanese and their families living in California. Read More>>
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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TOMODACHI Lawson High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Tohoku: Learning from International Students and Professionals Prompts Students to Consider Their Futures
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TOMODACHI-STEM Women’s Leadership and Research Program Kicked Off with Virtual Programming
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The TOMODACHI-STEM Women’s Leadership and Research Program offers research internship opportunities and cultural and leadership programming for female Japanese university students. Ten students from universities throughout Japan were selected for the 2021-22 program, representing fields such as applied physics, biology, and mechanical engineering. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI KAKEHASHI Inouye Scholars Program: Students in the U.S. and Japan Interact Virtually
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Two American universities were selected to participate in this year’s TOMODACHI KAKEHASHI Inouye Scholars Program in September 2021. Each university was paired with a Japanese university in order to facilitate the exchange program. Howard University in Washington D.C. was paired with Keiwa College in Niigata Prefecture. Oklahoma’s Northeastern University was also paired with Hokkaido University as a part of this year’s program. Read More>>
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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December 5 - January 23
December 9
December 9 - January 28
December 11, 12
December 11, 12
December 25, 26
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TOMODACHI Alumni Activities
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TOMODACHI Alumni Join the 25th Business Advisory Board Meeting Featuring Ms. Kathy Matsui and Ms. Yumiko Murakami, General Partners of MPower Partners
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On October 26, 2021, four TOMODACHI Alumni from different programs were invited to attend the online 25th U.S.-Japan Council Business Advisory Board (BAB) Meeting. The event featured a fireside chat by Ms. Kathy Matsui and Ms. Yumiko Murakami, General Partners of MPower Partners. Joined by Mr. Martin Fackler, Adjunct Fellow of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies of Temple University as a moderator, the dialogue, titled Bringing up Japanese Ventures to Global via ESG Investing: New Endeavors of MPower Partners, attracted over 40 industry leaders from diverse fields. This was the fifteenth time TOMODACHI Alumni were invited to join business executives as representatives of the future of the U.S.-Japan leadership. Read More>>
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Sign Up Now! Next Generation Summit 2021 “Ideas to Action: Breaking Barriers for a Sustainable Community with Enduring Value”
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The Next Generation Summit 2021 will take place virtually on December 11th-12th (Japan) / 10th-11th (U.S.) 2021. The Summit is open to everyone and highlights TOMODACHI alumni and Watanabe scholars. It also offers a place for them to reconnect, inspire and learn from each other as well as to meet new people from the USJC community, Watanabe scholars and supporters from various industries.
For more information, click here.
Date:
Day 1: Dec. 11th 10am – 12pm JT // Dec. 10th 8pm – 10pm ET
Day 2: Dec. 12th 10am – 12:30pm JT // Dec. 11th 8pm – 10:30pm ET
Language: English & Japanese (simultaneous translations will be available)
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Apply Now! TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework for Japan-Based Alumni
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The TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework builds and bolsters the TOMODACHI community in regions across the United States and Japan through Regional Representatives who will work with the TOMODACHI Alumni Affairs Team and, as appropriate, with the American and Japanese Embassy and Consulates to cultivate and maintain relationships with alumni in the region.
Under this framework, the Regional Representative will bring together alumni for networking and skills-building events, and share opportunities that are available only to TOMODACHI alumni. They will also work closely with other volunteers in the region to increase outreach in key areas and provide information about TOMODACHI.
If you are interested in becoming a representative within your region, please apply! For more information, click here.
Deadline:
December 20, 2021 JT for Japan-based alumni
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Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni
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Momoko Tajima is an alumna of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program. She is a current senior at Kyushu University studying law and international politics. She is particularly interested in deepening her understanding of the relationship between Japan and other countries in the areas of human rights protection and environmental issues from a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) perspective. She has been participating in the TOMODACHI Alumni Internship Program since June 2021. Her goals for the internship are to “network with TOMODACHI alumni to strengthen the relationship between students, professionals, cities and regions and to improve my ability to plan and create many opportunities and events to empower people.” Read More>>
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Kekoa Erber is an alumnus of the 2017 TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference in Chicago. He participated in the 2018 USJC Annual Conference in Tokyo as a TOMODACHI alumnus and is an Associate member of the U.S.-Japan Council.
He is the current Government Relations Associate at the Association for Psychological Science (APS) in Washington, D.C. APS is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology. In this position, he advocates for science policy to the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. This position also allows him to cover international science news; he writes articles for the APS Observer including a piece on government funding for psychological science in Japan. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Program Manager
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The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) seeks a candidate who is committed to the goals of the organization and can bring enthusiasm and commitment to coordinate the programs of the TOMODACHI Initiative and other events and programs the Council offers.
This is a full-time position based in the U.S.-Japan Council Tokyo office which allows teleworking. A Japanese native and fluency in English is required. USJC does not sponsor visas for working in Japan.
For more information and to apply, click here. |
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Interns, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative (remote)
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The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and the TOMODACHI Initiative are currently seeking interns. The internship offers an exciting environment where interns will be exposed to the non-profit, corporate, and government fields simultaneously. Responsibilities 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. Please note that this internship is unpaid.
For more information and to apply, click here.
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Interns, TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program (remote)
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The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) is currently seeking qualified interns to support the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program. The Program produces impactful and innovative programming for program participants who have experienced a TOMODACHI program to take the next step in their journey. The intern will be responsible for assisting the Alumni Manager and participating in various stages of engagement to support the next generation of leaders dedicated to the U.S.-Japan relationship. Our bilingual and bi-cultural team works in a fast-paced environment where strong critical thinking skills and excellent attention to detail are essential. Interns will gain a wide range of experience in various aspects of project management, marketing, social media management. This internship is a great opportunity to learn more about the nonprofit sector, public-private partnerships, and civic engagement. Please note that this internship is unpaid.
For more information, click here.
Please send applications to alumni@usjapancouncil.org.
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*The next edition will be out at the end of January 2022, as a combined issue for December 2021 and January 2022.
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