The TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program Continues Nurturing Next Generation Leaders Connecting Japan and the United States
June 29, 2017
U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) TOMODACHI Initiative
Sumitomo Corporation
The TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program
Continues Nurturing Next Generation Leaders Connecting Japan and the United States
U.S.–Japan Council (Japan) (Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Irene Hirano Inouye) and Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Kuniharu Nakamura) have selected ten (10) Japanese students as scholarship recipients of the 2017 TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program. 2017 will conclude the first term of the program, which was launched in 2014.
The TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program is one of the Educational Programs supported by the TOMODACHI Initiative (hereafter, “TOMODACHI”1), led by the U.S. Embassy and the U.S.–Japan Council. With funding from Sumitomo Corporation, this program provides a scholarship of 1.5 million yen per year for each student to study at universities across the United States. Furthermore, during their study abroad period, students can attend the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference and are offered training experiences by the Sumitomo Corporation of Americas New York Head Office. Through these opportunities, students can broaden their global perspectives and learn about leadership.
Three (3) students in 2014, five (5) students in 2015, and ten (10) students in 2016 have returned to Japan following their study abroad experiences, bringing the current total scholarship recipients to 28 students. Those who have already begun their careers frequently contribute to the program as alumni2 providing guidance to study abroad students in the following years. Sumitomo Corporation continues to support university students through TOMODACHI in the hopes that even more students will become future global leaders connecting the United States and Japan.
1: 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.
2: ‘Alumni’ refers to past participants of the TOMODACHI programs.
