TOMODACHI Initiative Intern: Takumi Osumi’s Experience
Takumi Osumi, a sophomore student at the International Christian University double-majoring in physics and philosophy, has been working as a TOMODACHI Initiative (TOMODACHI) Intern since the summer of 2025. He is an avid musician, playing acoustic and electric guitar since middle school, and has been part of multiple bands at university. He has simultaneously been practicing Japanese tea ceremony for six years, which has allowed him to stay in touch with Japanese culture.
How did you know about TOMODACHI, and why did you want to intern with TOMODACHI?
I applied to the program after being introduced by my diplomat father to the former president of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), Suzanne Basalla. From her, I heard about the history of the TOMODACHI and its beginning as a humanitarian aid for Japan’s 2011 earthquake. At the time of the crisis, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos and the U.S. Embassy staff worked tirelessly to support Japan, and this motivated me to apply as an intern.
What was your most memorable experience at the TOMODACHI?
During my time as an intern, my most memorable experience was my role in planning a TOMODACHI booth at the Next Generation Summit. I enjoyed the preparation process, which started a month and a half prior to the event, during which I had multiple meetings with the TOMODACHI staff. The booth at the event consisted of an interest-sharing booth, where participants of the summit wrote their passions and interests on sticky notes. They were then introduced to people who had common interests, allowing for a new method of connecting and networking. This was a refreshing experience, as it allowed me to get to know the personal side of attendees.
Was there anything that surprised you during your internship?
I was particularly surprised by the amount of work that went into the organization process of programs and events at the TOMODACHI. I realized that to make a profound impact through the organization, there is a need for a strong foundation as a team to make such events possible.
TOMODACHI Internship and Future Career
My experience at the internship allowed me to interact with people from a variety of fields. Having primarily focused on physics at university, I gained a broader perspective than what I would have solely focused on my field. I reminisced about my high school years, during which I learned about subjects that were more directly applicable to everyday life. I hope that his experience at the internship will allow me to think more deeply about the topics I am studying at university and apply it to a more international and interdisciplinary context.
