Over 100 Attend the U.S.-Japan Council & TOMODACHI Shinnenkai 2025
On January 20th, the U.S.-Japan Council and TOMODACHI Shinnenkai 2025 were held at Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park. Over 100 attendees participated, including TOMODACHI alumni, members of the USJC Japan chapter, their families, friends, and business leaders from various fields. Students also participated.
During the opening remarks, the U.S. Embassy in Japan and Mark Ikeno and Henry Takata representing the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) shared words to welcome guests and kick off the festivities. The panel discussion featured three speakers from Deloitte Tohmatsu: COO,Sosuke Nagayama, Andrew Chang from the Global Business Division, and Kanako Uchida, a TOMODACHI alumna. They discussed topics such as careers, leadership, motivation, and realizing goals and dreams.
Kanako, an alumna of both the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program and the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program, shared her transformative experience:
“During my university years, participating in the TOMODACHI Program completely changed my perspective on what I could achieve. Through the program, I met many incredible female leaders and peers who inspired me. Thanks to them, I realized that as a woman, I could pursue my career goals and become a leader.” She encouraged others to persevere and challenge themselves to achieve their goals.
To conclude the Shinnenkai, a performance was given by the hula dance group Nā Kukui Kahikina, led by a USJC member Kelly Nuibe, and Courtney Choi, an alumna of the TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference.
Hideki Tomita, an alumnus of the The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program, shared his thoughts on participating in the event:
“This was my first time attending the Shinnenkai, driven by a desire to share the value of studying abroad in the U.S. with more people. Through participating in the scholarship program, I’ve come to aspire to be a bridge between Japan and the U.S. as a member of the TOMODACHI community.”
He also expressed his future aspirations, stating that he hopes to utilize his study abroad experience to pursue a career in the United States.
