TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative -As Climate Change Advances, Both Japan and the United States Consider the Future of Agriculture-
April 10, 2024
U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) TOMODACHI Initiative
Tanaka Sangyo
-As Climate Change Advances,
Both Japan and the United States Consider the Future of Agriculture-
TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo
Agricultural Exchange Initiative
University students from Niigata Prefecture and Texas will work together
to address social issues related to climate change and agriculture
Leadership Development Program, Applications commence on Wednesday, April 10
The TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private partnership led by a public interest corporation, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Audrey Yamamoto) and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, will commence the TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative from September 2024 with support from Tanaka Sangyo (Head Office: Joetsu City, Niigata President: Yasuo Tanaka).
The program will be calling for participation from partner universities in Japan and the United States from Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
The TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative is a leadership development program that brings together university students from Niigata Prefecture in Japan and Texas in the United States to tackle climate change and agriculture, both of which are current global issues. Niigata City and Galveston, Texas, have been sister cities since January 1965. Twenty students, ten from each of the eligible universities, will be selected for this project and the eight-month program will be conducted three times.
The program will include two face-to-face sessions in Japan and the United States, in addition to online sessions. The workshops will focus on the SDGs related to agriculture and climate change, as well as delving deeper into the diverse agricultural ecosystems in both regions. Niigata is known for its lush landscapes and rice cultivation, and you can learn about traditional Japanese farming methods in harmony with nature. In contrast, Galveston is located on the coast, where you can learn about agriculture suitable for this terrain, especially the challenges and solutions for agriculture in the context of climate change.
While the abandonment of farming due to an aging population and lack of successors has become a national problem, Tanaka Sangyo, a general construction and transportation company in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, is enthusiastically engaged in agriculture. In the last few years, they have been working on another 140 hectares (equivalent to about 30 Tokyo Domes) of planting acreage. Our rice acreage totals 340 hectares (equivalent to about 72 Tokyo Domes), which is one of the largest rice cultivation areas in Niigata. We decided to support this program in the hope that the next generation of young people will learn the positive aspects of large-scale, automated agriculture in the United States and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese agriculture as they work to address the next generation’s farming initiatives and the issues of farm abandonment.
The program aims to promote sustainable agricultural solutions for a rapidly changing world, build confidence in the next generation of leaders, foster global collaboration, and deepen connections with their peers.
TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative
Application & Program
How to apply: Please visit the program website for the application guidelines
Program period: Eight months at a time (13 months for the first period)
Maximum number of applicants: Twenty
[Applicants from Japan] Applicants must be studying agriculture or the environment at a university or vocational school in Niigata Prefecture, regardless of their undergraduate degree or have a strong interest in these fields.
[Applicants from the United States] Applicants must be studying agriculture or the environment at Texas A&M University, College Station or University at Galveston, or have a strong interest in these fields.
Sessions: Online sessions, one face-to-face session in Niigata and Texas, respectively
Core curriculum
Leadership Principles: A leadership approach that looks inside you to lead other people
Sustainable Development Goals: Focus on agriculture and climate
Local Resources: Experiential learning through the exploration of natural assets in Niigata and Galveston
Collaborative Learning: Development of global collaboration and mutual growth through the sharing of ideas and experiences among students
Contact Us
For inquiries regarding application, please contact us via email: info@rootsring.org
Program Management
Organized by the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) the TOMODACHI Initiative
Sponsored by Tanaka Sangyo
Implemented by RootSpring, a U.S. nonprofit organization
Supported by Niigata Prefecture, Joetsu City, and Texas Department of Agriculture
Program Schedule (tentative)
| Timetable | Description |
| September 2024 | Program kickoff |
| October – December 2024 | Participants will acquire leadership skills through biweekly online sessions on climate change, sustainability and leadership and then apply the leadership in their daily lives. |
| February 2025 | Orientation for the training program in the United States |
| March 2025 | Japanese participants visit the Texas, USA, in-person programs in Houston, College Station, and Galveston |
| June 2025 | Orientation for the training program in Japan |
| July 2025 | American participants visit the Niigata in-person program in Niigata |
| September 2025 | Integration sessions, debriefing sessions |
About the TOMODACHI Initiative
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from the Government of Japan. Born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. The initiative seeks to foster a “TOMODACHI Generation” of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other’s countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world. Visit us at www.tomodachi.org
