TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program; Participants attend orientation

On July 7, 2024, the TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program orientation was held online, attended by 20 high school students selected from all over Japan, two teachers, and program staff.

During the orientation, participants who were meeting each other for the first time introduced themselves. Mr. Toshizo Watanabe, who is supporting this program, was introduced, and the training schedule and precautions for participating in the program were explained. In the second half of the orientation, the participants were assigned to groups with whom they will live during the program, and each group had time to discuss homework assignments before their trip to the United States.

Prior to the U.S. training, the participants will take part in a two-day pre-departure training session. During the 10 days of training in the U.S., they will participate in a homestay and visit high schools to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. They will also visit the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, Japan House Los Angeles, the Japanese American National Museum, and other facilities to learn leadership skills to build bridges between Japan and the United States.