TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework

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With just more than 10,000 alumni* who have come out of over 350 TOMODACHI programs since inception, it can be a challenge to reach everyone. Still, the power of the TOMODACHI Generation is the network and the high engagement of youth and young professionals who are inspired to stay connected and become active leaders in their respective communities and regions, and of society as a whole.

The TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework is a big part of this structure as it aims to ensure that we are reaching our alumni by having representatives across Japan and in the United States. Japan will be split into six regions that coincide with the five U.S. Consulates across Japan and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. We are expanding to the United States for the first time in 2022, and will be starting off with the regions listed below.

In order to support this framework, we have developed roles and responsibilities for Regional Representatives to lead, engage, and connect alumni in their respective regions and to be active leaders in their regions for a more vibrant future for their communities and countries.

*Numbers as of December, 2023. 

 

Program Description

The TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework builds and bolsters the TOMODACHI community in regions across the United States and Japan through Regional Representatives who will work with the TOMODACHI Alumni Affairs Team and, as appropriate, with the American and Japanese Embassy and Consulates to cultivate and maintain relationships with alumni in the region.

Under this framework, the Regional Representative will bring together alumni for networking and skills-building events, and share opportunities that are available only to TOMODACHI alumni. They will also work closely with other volunteers in the region to increase outreach in key areas and provide information about TOMODACHI.

This new framework builds upon the TOMODACHI Regional Impact for Social Empowerment (RISE) Leadership Program, and on the shoulders of previous Regional Leaders and Regional Mentors who took the time to develop these communities of TOMODACHI Alumni throughout Japan since 2016. We thank them for their support and commitment to bolstering this community of leaders, movers, and shakers. 

  • Past events under the TOMODACHI RISE Leadership Program can be found here. 
  • Past Regional Leaders can be found here. 
  • Past Regional Mentors can be found here. 

 

Regions

Japan Regions (aligned with U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate regions)

 

U.S. Regions

 

2024 Regional Representatives

JAPAN

  • Yumiko Miura

Yumiko MiuraYumiko Miura is the 2022-2023 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Tohoku-Hokkaido Region, and is an alumna of the 2016-2017 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program. Yumiko is Senior Director of the Business Development Division at Amino Up Co., Ltd., a biotech company in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Collaborating with medical doctors, researchers, and industry professionals, Yumiko has been working on the development of the international healthcare market for more than 20 years. She is also working on an international exchange program, which encourages the local students of Hokkaido to communicate with multinational researchers. She received her B.A. in commerce and MBA from Otaru University of Commerce. Her hobbies include golf and traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

 

  • Rimpei Takahashi

Rimpei Takahashi photo

Rimpei Takahashi is an alumnus of the 2015 TOMODACHI St. Louis-Ishinomaki Grassroots Exchange Program. The program opened up his eyes to new opportunities and he actively engaged in various TOMODACHI alumni programs through the years. He currently works at NPO Machitoko, an educational nonprofit supporting youth in the Tohoku region based out of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. Rimpei graduated from Nippon Sport Science University with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a Teacher’s License.

 

 

  • Mason Williams

MWilliams Headshot

Mason Williams is the 2023-2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Kanto Region. He is an alumnus of the 2017 TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference in Boston as well as JASC (The Japan America Student Conference). Serving as a delegate in the 70th JASC and Recruitment Chair/Culture & Media roundtable in the 71st JASC, Mason’s experiences in cross-cultural communication and exchange have been critical in fostering a desire to grow the Japan-America connection in a variety of different fields. Mason studied at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language studies online from 2020- 2021. He is currently working as a production assistant on the second season HBO show ‘Tokyo Vice’. Mason hopes to continue working in entertainment in Japan in the future. 

 

  • Momoko Tajima

Momokok Tajima_0225Momoko Tajima is the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Kansai Region. She is an alumna of the 2019-2020 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program and TOMODACHI intern. TOMODACHI community has been her motivation to go forward and makes her realize the power of person-to-person relations since she was an undergraduate.
Graduated from the faculty of Law, Kyushu University in 2022, she is currently working for air conditioning manufacturer Daikin with the hope of contributing to the solution of environmental problems and enhancing business relations between Japan and the U.S. She is passionate to strengthen the Kansai TOMODACHI community by getting more alumni involved and inspiring each other.

 

  • Shiori Sata

Shiori SataShiori Sata, your 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative for the Chubu-Hokuriku Region. As an alumna of the 2018-2019 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program, Shiori hails from Kanagawa and currently contributes her talents to an automobile IT company in Aichi prefecture. Specializing in fostering alliance businesses with prominent Japanese automobile companies, she envisions a future where she plays a pivotal role in connecting Japanese headquarters with overseas branches worldwide. Shiori’s commitment to global collaboration is evident from her previous leadership role in a US-based international volunteer student organization during her studies. With a major in business and an enriching exchange program in Croatia, Shiori is poised to make significant contributions to the TOMODACHI alumni community and foster meaningful connections within the region and beyond.

 

 

  • Ryo Inoue

Ryo InoueRyo Inoue is the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Kyushu Region, and is an alumnus of the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and LeadershipProgram in 2018. Ryo works in Sales & Marketing Development at Alterbooth Co., Ltd., located in Fukuoka. As a salesperson, Ryo is selling cloud computing services. Additionally, he has founded a company called “irodori” in his hometown to support local students’ challenges.

 

 

  • Marimo Higa

Marimo Higa_page-0001Marimo Higa serves as the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative for the Okinawa Region, leveraging her insights from the 2019-2020 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program. This program gave her the unique opportunity to support mentees with a global mindset through her own experiences and knowledge. With a deep commitment to gender equality and youth engagement, she actively contributes to initiatives to achieve gender parity and designs children’s council programs in Nanjo City. Her efforts underscore a dedication to fostering a more inclusive society and empowering the next generation through innovative leadership and community involvement. Higa’s endeavors in Okinawa reflect a passion for leadership and a commitment to nurturing cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

USA

 

  • Felix Garcia

Felix GarciaFelix Garcia is the 2022 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Massachusetts Vicinity Region and an alumnus of the TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference in Boston in 2017. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Business Intelligence and a minor in Japanese at the University of Massachusetts Boston. At UMass, he was President of the Japanese Language Club, where he organized events to promote Japanese culture and foster a sense of community among students. He is also an alumnus of the Latino Leadership Opportunity Program (LLOP) at UMass Boston and of the Hack.Diversity program, which designed to address the underrepresentation of Black and Latinx employees in the tech industry. He currently works as an IT Business Analyst of Automation.

  • Sarah O’Connell

sarahSarah O’Connell is one of the 2022 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representatives of the New York Vicinity Region. She is a TOMODACHI alumna of the TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. in 2016, inspiring her to move to Sendai, Japan and further pursue a career in international relations. During her three years in Sendai, Sarah was actively engaged in disaster relief efforts and community outreach, joining the TOMODACHI Disaster Resilience Leadership Program to present with other alumni at the World Bosai Forum in 2017. Currently Sarah resides in New Jersey, where she continues to pursue her interest in foreign diplomacy, focusing on public relations, disinformation, and information security. She hopes that through becoming a regional leader she can inspire others to find their passions and provide the resources they need to achieve their goals Currently she works as a Public Relations Specialist for the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, focusing on issues of revitalization, disinformation, public outreach, and empowering the next generation.

  • Fatoumata Bah

fatouFatoumata Bah is one of the 2022 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representatives of the New York Vicinity Region. Originally from New York City, she first participated in the TOMODACHI Internship Program in the Spring of 2019. Through the initiative, she learned the importance of self-empowerment and exploring different ideas to create change. Going out of her comfort zone, she went to Japan, shared her experience with Japanese high school students about American culture, and in turn learned about Japanese culture. She joined the 2020 TOMODACHI Critical Conversations Series and shared her knowledge and passion about sensitive issues such as Black Lives Matter. As an alumna, she wants to create an environment where other alumni can have a space to explore their interests in leadership and gaining the necessary skill sets they need while cultivating Japanese and American relationships. She graduated from Temple University with a major in Global Economics and is commissioned as an Officer in the United States Military.

      • Janrose Samson

Janrose HeadshotJanrose Samson is the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Washington, D.C. Vicinity Region. She is a TOMODACHI alumna of the 2016 TOMODACHI Dallas-Sendai Young Ambassadors program and was a Harashin Scholar through Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Janrose now lives in Arlington, Virginia close to Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science and holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. As Regional Representative of the Washington D.C. area, she hopes to strengthen the TOMODACHI alumni network through more events and collaboration between regions. Currently, Janrose is a software engineer passionate about inspiring women in STEM, cross-cultural collaboration, and empowering future generations.

        • Arianna Santiago

Copy of Arianna Santiago PhotoArianna Santiago is the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the California Region based in Laguna Niguel, California. She is an alumnus of the Daiwa House 2016 Student Leadership Conference in Dallas, where she graduated from SMU. She has a passion for understanding people and cultures and currently works as a Strategy & Storytelling Director for Kellogg’s and Tito’s brands. Differences in American and Japanese marketing fascinate her, and much of Arianna’s career has been split between the U.S. and Japan. She even undertook a Japanese language and culture degree to keep up! She loves volunteering with kids and her most recent passion is organizing and teaching arts and science camps to expat students in Nagoya. Her goal is to connect TOMODACHI alumni across the very wide region of California.

          • Max Malmud

Max MalmudMax Kekai’oli Malmud is the 2024 TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative for the Hawai’i Region and is an alumna of the 2023 TOMODACHI Daniel K. Inouye Scholars program where he served as Program Leader. Max is a queer, hapa-identifying local to Hawai’i where he attended and graduated from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a B.Ed. in Secondary Education. He is currently continuing his education at UHM pursuing an M.Ed. in Global Education and International Curriculum studies while also working for UHM’s Center on Disability Studies, organizing the implementation of the annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disability and Diversity Studies. Max has a passion for inclusivity and globalized perspectives that developed from his diverse lived experience, allowing him to connect deeply with cross-cultural communities. He hopes to bring fun, engaging opportunities for further cross-cultural connections through his role as an Alumni Regional Representative.

Past Regional Representatives

Please see the past regional representatives’ profiles from here.

 

From Zoom to Room: Can TOMODACHI Alumni Build Lasting Bonds?

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After months of connecting on Zoom as TOMODACHI regional representatives, we finally gathered in person, sharing an Airbnb for the U.S.-Japan Council conference. I’m Aika May Talavera, a TOMODACHI Core Committee Member for the Kyushu region and a Senior Social Media Intern who’s been an active member of the TOMODACHI alumni for two years. With over 10,000 alumni from 350 programs, TOMODACHI has created a vast network aimed at building connections across borders through cultural exchange and shared experiences. The opportunity to meet face-to-face with other regional representatives was the ultimate test of TOMODACHI’s mission. I had some doubts. Would we actually be able to create real friendships and foster deeper connections? I wasn’t so sure. But here’s what happened when the 12 of us finally met in person and experienced TOMODACHI’s vision.
Read More>>

 

Learn More about TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative

TOMODACHI Regional Framework Events

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TOMODACHI Regional Framework offers various events in each region to be connected with Alumni talents. Learn More about events >>

US-Japan Council
Embassy of the United States Tokyo, Japan