TOMO-KIN Career Talks Held

On April 3, 2025, ‘TOMO-KIN Career Talks’ was held at Google Japan to connect the TOMODACHI Alumni community across industries, regions, and interests. This time’s TOMO-KIN topic, “Reimagining Work: Global Voices, Bold Journeys, and Innovating Beyond Tradition” featured three Google employees in a panel discussion facilitated by Kaoru Utada, Director of Programs and Partnerships. Participants listened to the panel discussion while enjoying delicious omusubi made by Miki Yamada with ‘WaraiMusubi’, who uses ingredients from Tohoku and her family’s rice farm. TOMODACHI Alumni also enjoyed speed networking and a raffle for TOMODACHI prizes.

 

Michael Omoto, Engineering Manager, Rina Ariizumi in Clean Energy & Power, and Fuuka Boisseuil, Policy Product Specialist, each shared their career journeys and perspectives about working in a global environment. Each panelist emphasized the importance of job diversification, or the significance of exploring different fields. With many aspiring college students and young working professionals in the audience, their words conveyed a special message to those seeking to step out of their comfort zone within the work field. Their stories showed that there are many different career paths available, and surely were an inspiration to those in the audience. After the panel discussion, a brief Q&A session was held, giving audience members a chance to engage with the panelists.

 

Ms. Fujiwara, alumnus of TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities 2024, gave her impressions of the panel: “I am not very familiar with the IT industry, including Google, but all the panelists were very friendly and spoke in detail about their respective fields of expertise and career paths. It was refreshing to hear about a field so different from my own.” Ms. Arima, alumnus of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program (FY2021), explained how TOMO-KIN inspired her: “As I listened to the panelists talk about their areas of expertise and career paths to date, I could clearly sense the enthusiasm and pride they take in their respective jobs. As a career changer myself, I feel that the conversation provided me with an opportunity to find my own principles.”

 

Next, a speed networking session was held, featuring questions written by TOMODACHI Alumni Interns. The networking session was a great opportunity for alumni across different programs to engage with each other.
Finally, a raffle including all participants was held and winners were given TOMODACHI merchandise. The event concluded with participants gathering under the large Google sign for a group photo. Thank you to everyone who participated and for another successful TOMO-KIN!

Here are the photos from that day.