Recruitment Open for the TOMODACHI Women’s Empowerment Program 2025

The TOMODACHI Women’s Empowerment Program is a leadership program designed to address the pressing gender gap in Japanese society. In the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, Japan ranked 118th out of 146 countries, with deeply rooted unconscious biases and societal stereotypes continuing to hinder women’s participation and advancement.

Over a six-month period, the program will engage female Japanese undergraduate students (from freshmen to seniors) from across Japan. The program pairs students with mid-career professional mentors. Through a hybrid approach that combines virtual mentorship sessions and in-person U.S. training, participants will gain first-hand inspirations and exposure to best practices.

Targeting aspiring young generation leaders in Japan, the program is designed to develop the following leadership skills, enabling participants to thrive and lead in the global community.

Deepening Self-awareness
Communicating Effectively　
Cultivating Community
Leading with Resilience
Lifting as You Climb

Application Details

Number of Participants: Approximately 10 mentees (university students) and 10 mentors (mid-career professionals)
Selection Schedule:
- [Mentees (University Students)]
  - Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM (JST)
  - Online Interviews*: Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19
    *Only for applicants who pass the document screening
  - Notification of Final Selection Results: Week of August 4, 2025
- [Mentors]
  - Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM (JST)
  - Notification of Final Selection Results: Week of August 4, 2025
    *Online interviews for mentors are not scheduled; however, the program office may reach out to you directly.

Eligibility for Mentor (Professional) Participants

All mentor (professional) participants must be;

Female mid-level professionals (9+ years professional experience)
Professionals with overseas education or work experience are strongly encouraged to apply
Open to all industries and sectors (including private, non-profit, government and academic)
Committed to developing the next generation of women leaders by serving as a mentor and meeting on a regular basis with your mentee
Interested in networking with other women, advancing women in the workforce, and making a positive change in Japanese society
Able to attend all virtual leadership sessions
Fluent in spoken English
（Update as of June 3, priority will be given to those who have not previously served as mentors in a TOMODACHI program.）

Eligibility for Mentee (Student) Participants

All mentee (student) participants must be;

Japanese citizens or permanent residents
Female first, second, third and fourth year undergraduate students attending universities in Japan
（Update on June 3, Medical students from first to sixth year are eligible to apply.）
Able to attend the entire program
Able to speak, read, and write in English
Interested in networking with other women, advancing women in the workforce, and making a positive change in Japanese society
Interested and have the potential to play a leadership role in the future

Program Dates (tentative dates)

Mentees are required to attend all programs.
Mentors are required to attend virtual leadership sessions.*

*Time requirement for mentors is;

One 1-hour orientation and four 3-hour sessions during weekday (6:00 pm-9:00 pm, JST) from September 2025 through January 2026
Minimum of 1-hour one-on-one mentorship session between the leadership sessions

Virtual Leadership Sessions (Mentees / Mentors)

Mentor Orientation: September 16 (Tues) 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mentee Orientation: September 17 (Wed) 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Session One: October 8 (Wed) 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Session One Mentorship Period: October 9 – 28
Session Two: November 4 (Tues) 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Session Two Mentorship Period: November 5 – 24
Session Three: December 2 (Tues) 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Session Three Mentorship Period: December 3 – 22
US Training Orientation and Session Four: January 13 (Tues) 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Session Four Mentorship Period: January 14 – February 2

In-person Training (Mentees)

Training in Tokyo: February 9 (Mon)
US training in New York: February 10 (Tues) –18 (Wed)
Report Out Session in Tokyo: February 19 (Thurs) or 20 (Fri)

Online Mentoring Session (Mentees / Mentors)

Final Mentoring Session: February 19 – 28

Participation Fee

Participation Fee (Mentors)
- Expenses to be borne by the program:
  - Training fee for the virtual leadership training
- Expenses to be borne by participants:
  - Communication costs for participating in the virtual leadership training
Participation Fee (Mentees)
- Expenses to be borne by the program:
  - Round-trip international airfare
  - Standard travel insurance
  - Training fee
  - Travel expenses during the U.S. training period (including lodging, meals, and activity costs)
  - Lodging costs during the domestic training
- Expenses to be borne by participants:
  - Round-trip transportation to/from the meeting and dismissal point in Tokyo
  - Meals during the domestic training
  - Passport acquisition costs
  - ESTA application fee
  - Additional travel insurance, if desired
  - Communication costs for participating in the online orientation
  - Personal expenses
  - Doctor’s note costs (for eligible participants)
  - Cancellation fee incurred if a participant withdraws from the program due to personal reasons

How to Apply

Application Links
- Mentee: https://forms.gle/6V4KoWBdP7TbMq988
- Mentor: https://forms.gle/vodDStTHqCuaS9mR6
Inquiry

Please email to tomodachiwe@usjapancouncil.org
No phone inquiry please.

May 28, 2025