TOMODACHI Initiative Recognized at Japan Day @ Central Park in New York City, Attended by 55,000 Visitors

On May 8, 2016, Japan Day in New York recognized three organizations, including the TOMODACHI Initiative, for their work during and after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. Japan Day thanked TOMODACHI, Japan Society and Hideki Matsui, for their support over the past five years and their continued dedication to the Tohoku region. This Japan Day celebrated its 10th Anniversary, and also supported current relief efforts in Kumamoto after severe earthquakes struck the region this past April.

The award was accepted by Vice Chair of U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) Board of Directors Gary Moriwaki on behalf of USJC alongside Mr. Dale Prince from the U.S. Department of State, Director of the New York Foreign Press Center, who represented the U.S. Embassy in Japan. Mr. Moriwaki gave a short speech on TOMODACHI’s origins in supporting Tohoku’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as ongoing success in fostering the next generation of leaders in U.S.-Japan relations. Japan Day @ Central Park was attended by many USJC Council Leaders, who showed support for the event, the TOMODACHI Initiative and the relief efforts in Kumamoto.