FamilyMart and TOMODACHI Initiative to Launch New Program to Support Youth in Tohoku on the subject of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

July 5^th, 2021

FamilyMart Co., Ltd.
U.S.-Japan Council (Japan)

FamilyMart and TOMODACHI Initiative to Launch
New Program to Support Youth in Tohoku
on the subject of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

FamilyMart Co., Ltd. (Representative Director and President, Kensuke Hosomi; hereinafter referred to as “FamilyMart”) and the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) (Representative Director, Suzanne Basalla), TOMODACHI Initiative (hereinafter referred to as “TOMODACHI”), are pleased to announce the launch of “TOMODACHI FamilyMart SDGs Leadership Program in Tohoku -Beyond Tohoku to Japan, and Finally, the World-” (hereinafter referred to as “Program”), a program focused on the subject of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which works to develop the next generation of leaders who aspire to solve the regional challenges in the Tohoku area.

In honor of the 10 years that have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Program provides opportunities for the young participants to initiate social actions in order to solve social challenges and build communities that will support each other across generations. The Program also provides support for the participants to take actions that will become deeply rooted in the region over time. Moreover, the Program will highlight the concept of “Tohoku as the leader of the world” as participants continue to utilize the leadership skills developed in the Program for future activities and contributing to the efforts of the SDGs.

Implemented in collaboration with NPO ETIC. and WAKATSUKU Institute, the Program targets youth who are deeply passionate about solving regional challenges in Tohoku (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures). This five-month leadership training will consist of three parts, “Tohoku Academy to Support Each Other,” “Action Course,” and “Tohoku Special Live Broadcast to Support Each Other.”

“Tohoku Academy to Support Each Other”: Meet peers and pioneers in the Tohoku region who aspire to contribute to the efforts made to achieve the SDGs.
“Action Course”: Reflect on the social actions and efforts taken toward achieving the SDGs with support from a mentor, and showcase the activities to inspire and include others.
“Tohoku Special Live Broadcast to Support Each Other”: Nationwide presentation on the outcomes from the five months of study, including the social actions that leave sustainable impacts in the region and lessons learned from the training. The presentations will be live-streamed to the public.

This Program is made possible by donations from FamilyMart through the “FamilyMart Connecting Dreams Foundation Donation” at the stores, and corporate donations from FamilyMart. (Donation to the TOMODACHI Initiative has ended as of March 2019.)

FamilyMart offers programs that support the next generation of leaders who are shaping the future through the “FamilyMart Connecting Dreams Foundation Donation.” FamilyMart has been supporting the TOMODACHI Initiative since 2013, enabling the programs that offer career support to high school students in Tohoku who are working toward the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. This year, as we mark ten years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have developed a program that supports young leaders who will take action for the next decade, which will lead to the further reconstruction of the region and more substantial contributions to efforts of the SDGs.

U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) Representative Director Suzanne Basalla stated, “We are deeply grateful for FamilyMart who endorses the vision of TOMODACHI. Since its inception, TOMODACHI, as an innovative public-private partnership, has been working to develop the next generation of leaders in Tohoku, Japan and the United States. This new program in partnership with FamilyMart will enable the youth in Tohoku to take action themselves, make a significant impact in their regional communities, and grow into future leaders in Tohoku, Japan and the world.”

Application Guidelines for “TOMODACHI FamilyMart SDGs Leadership Program in Tohoku -Beyond Tohoku to Japan, and Finally, the World-”

Eligible Candidates:
- Youth between the ages of 18 – 30 who are deeply passionate about solving regional challenges in Tohoku (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures)
- Those who have started or are planning to start social actions to solve regional social challenges
Duration of Program: August to December 2021
Program Format: Online in general
Program Schedule:
- “Tohoku Academy to Support Each Other”: August 12^th (Thu), August 13^th (Fri) (Two days)
- “Action Course”: August to November
- “Tohoku Special Live Broadcast to Support Each Other”: December 9^th (Thu) Subject to change
Application Period:
- “Tohoku Academy to Support Each Other”: July 5^th (Mon) 2021 to August 12^th (Thu) 2021
- “Action Course”: August 12^th (Thu) 2021 to August 22^nd (Sun) ＊Application method for the “Action Course” will be announced separately.
  August 30^th (Mon): Notification of Selection Results
Admission Numbers:
- “Tohoku Academy to Support Each Other”: 100
- “Action Course”: 50
Application Method: Fill out and submit the online form
https://bit.ly/TOMODACHIFamilyMart2021Academy
http://usjapantomodachi.org/programs-activities/entrepreneurship-leadership/tomodachi-family-mart-sdgs-leadership-program-in-tohoku/

About FamilyMart Co., Ltd.
In September 2021, FamilyMart will celebrate its 40th anniversary. With the support of stakeholders, customers, franchised stores, and business partners, we have grown into a convenience store chain with approximately 25,000 stores in Japan and overseas. In keeping with our corporate message “FamilyMart, Where You Are One of the Family,” we have maintained our commitment to contributing to local communities while treating the customers in each region, as family.
https://www.family.co.jp/english/company.html

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

Media Contact Information:
U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) TOMODACHI Initiative
EMAIL: tomodachi@usjapancouncil.org

Jul 05, 2021