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Update from Team TOMODACHI
October 2015
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Japanese Participants of the 2015 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program Experience Detroit and Washington, D.C.
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 From September 13-19, young Japanese professionals from Fukuoka, Kyoto, Miyagi, Oita, Okinawa and Toyama prefectures traveled to America to participate in the 2015 TOMODACHI Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program. This program brings together ten American and ten Japanese young professionals representing both the public and private sectors to travel to each other’s countries and meet with both established and up-and-coming leaders in business and government.
The Japanese delegates traveled to Detroit, Michigan, where they met with community and business leaders, learning about and observing firsthand the dramatic transformations this city is experiencing. Next the delegation traveled to Washington, D.C. for three days filled with meetings and activities with various corporations, as well as for a meeting with Michigan Congresswoman Debbie Dingell. Whenever possible, Japanese delegates were joined by American counterparts and alumni, further strengthening the network of program participants (now totaling 59 over three years). More>>
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Minori Kato (Sendai, Miyagi)
“It is hard to get out of comfort zone to develop brand new relationships in our thirties, but through this program, I made lifelong best friends, mentors, role models, and supporters, whom inspired, motivated and empowered me to gain courage to reconsider my career and what I should do to make full use of this valuable experience.”
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The Latest on TOMODACHI Programs and Activities
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U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Blinken Meets TOMODACHI Alumni
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“I had never imagined that being a TOMODACHI scholar would provide me with such a great opportunity even after the program itself was over. I would like to appreciate and cherish these network of TOMODACHI alumni and the opportunities that the TOMODACHI Initiative offers me.” - Shota Eda, TOMODACHI Social Innovation in Seattle Program alumnus.
On October 5, Shota had an opportunity to meet U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Blinken in Tokyo as part of an event for young Japanese entrepreneurs and budding social innovators, including TOMODACHI alumni, to present their projects. Following their presentations, the students participated in an interactive session to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship in the United States and Japan. More>>
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Future Leaders of Japan Cultivate their Entrepreneurial Spirit at the TOMODACHI U.S. Embassy-Keio SFC-TOMODACHI Entrepreneurship Seminar
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The 5th U.S. Embassy-Keio SFC-TOMODACHI Entrepreneurship Seminar took place in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture from September 14-17. Funded by The Boeing Company, this program develops entrepreneurs among the young generation of Japanese students who will lead the reconstruction and revitalization of communities in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
This year, the four-day seminar provided students the opportunity to improve upon their business plans through advice and support from professional entrepreneurs. Twelve groups (a total of 40 students) from universities throughout Japan participated in the program. More>>
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TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program Year Three Launch in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Naha
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The third year of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program kicked off in Tokyo on September 11 with its first mentoring session, where motivated female university students were introduced to female mid-career professionals, who will be their mentors for the next ten months. After briefly reviewing the key concepts of mentorship and hearing from past program participants, the mentees and mentors began a team building exercise.
Following the session in Tokyo, kick-off sessions were held in Osaka on September 18, Okinawa on September 25, and Fukuoka on October 2. The 49 mentees and 49 mentors will spend the next ten months focused on personal leadership development, financial literacy, and self-awareness. More>>
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Last Chance! Register Now for the 2015 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference
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Deadline Today! (October 28)
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
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Last Chance! Register for the Inaugural TOMODACHI Generation Summit
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Deadline Today! (October 28)
University Students and/or Young Professionals that are TOMODACHI Alumni:
Register now to attend this inaugural TOMODACHI Generation Summit on November 8, 2015 in Tokyo.
The program includes inspirational keynote plenary sessions, hands-on skills building workshops, alumni activity presentations, and various networking opportunities. There will be a reception in the evening where you will have the opportunity to meet U.S.-Japan Council members, presenters, and other TOMODACHI alumni to broaden networks and strengthen people-to-people relationships. For more information, click here
- Register here (Deadline: October 28)
This TOMODACHI Generation Summit is made possible by the generous support of the Prudential Foundation, sponsor of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
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Voices of the TOMODACHI Generation
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Priscilla Torres
TOMODACHI Inouye Scholar Program
-- Loyola Marymount University
“No matter what I do in this world, the TOMODACHI experience served as the most transformative experience of my life, instilling a deep fascination of Japanese culture within me...” During the summer of 2015, Ms. Torres, a first-generation Mexican-American college student, had the opportunity to travel to Japan as a TOMODACHI Inouye Scholar. Her experience was something far beyond anything she could have imagined. More>>
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Hikari Igarashi
TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program – Tokyo
“A year ago, I was sitting in this same room, in these same chairs, and I was very nervous. Now I know that there is nothing I cannot do,” Hikari Igarashi stated as she explained her experience participating in last year's TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program in Tokyo to new participants.
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Upcoming Programs and Events
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Oct 31- Nov 1 Step 2 of the TOMODACHI Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima will be held in Fukushima
Nov 6 Second session on Financial Literacy for the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program: Fukuoka
Nov 8 TOMODACHI alumni will gather in Tokyo for inspirational keynote plenary sessions and hands-on skill building workshops at the inaugural TOMODACHI Generation Summit
Nov 9-10 The 2015 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference will highlight the importance of the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Japan
Nov 21 TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program participants will lead a youth and student-focused discussion on the future of disaster nursing in Japan in Kochi prefecture
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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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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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U.S.-Japan Council, TOMODACHI Initiative (Tokyo Office)
Program Manager
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Working under the direction of the Executive Director of TOMODACHI, the Program Manager is responsible for helping to find, select, develop, manage, monitor and evaluate TOMODACHI programs, including managing relationships with implementing organizations. The Program Manager will work with individuals from the U.S.-Japan Council, the U.S. Embassy and other key TOMODACHI team members in the implementation of this mission.
For more information and to apply, click here
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