Career Opportunities

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL & THE TOMODACHI INITIATIVE

The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) is a certified charitable organization (Koeki Zaidan Hojin), and administers the TOMODACHI Initiative, a public-private partnership forged after the Great East Japan Earthquake in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo with the support of the Government of Japan.  TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. We seek 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.

 

U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative Intern Tokyo Office (Remote)

OVERVIEW OF INTERNSHIP

The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative are currently seeking interns. The internship offers an exciting environment where interns will be exposed to the non-profit, corporate, and government fields simultaneously. Responsibilities include creating and drafting documents, translation, website management, social media management, newsletter development support, public speaking, communication with program participants, designing presentations and posters, and event planning and operations. Interns generally work remotely, but may be asked to assist with in-person events as needed.
Please note that this internship is unpaid.

 

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written Japanese and English
• Commit at least 8 hours per week for a minimum of three months
• Maintain good academic standing at an accredited university, college, or technical program

 

 APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send your resume and cover letter to opportunities@usjapancouncil.org.

 

U.S.-Japan Council Development & Program Intern

The Development & Program Intern will assist the Development Manager in fundraising and organizing events for business leaders for the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC). Responsibilities include drafting documents in Japanese and English, translation, writing newsletter articles, creating presentations and promotional materials, and providing administrative support for event planning and management. The position is primarily remote, but may require office work and on-site event support as needed.

Key Programs: 

• Sponsorship (Fundraising)
• Annual Conference
• Business Advisory Board 
• Climate & Sustainability Initiative
• and other events/programs of the USJC and its TOMODACHI Initiative

 

Qualifications:

• Intermediate to fluent proficiency in both Japanese and English
• Available to work a minimum of 8 hours per week for at least 3 months (preference given to those able to commit long-term).
• Maintaining good academic standing at an accredited university university or graduate school.
• Residing in or near Tokyo (primarily remote work, but able to come to office or event venues in Tokyo).

 

Preferred Background:

• Educated in Japan with study abroad experience or participation in educational programs in the United States.
• Studied in the United States and currently enrolled in a university or graduate school in Japan.
• Experience in event planning and management.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Google tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms).
• Ability to proactively find solutions and take action independently.
• Attention to detail and ability to respond accurately and promptly to administrative tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• Alignment with the USJC’s mission and enthusiasm for promoting U.S.-Japan global partnerships.
• Interest in diverse topics surrounding the U.S.-Japan relations, such as economics, security, sustainability, and cultural exchange.

 

To Apply: 

Please send your application documents to opportunities@usjapancouncil.org with the subject line “USJC Internship – Development & Program Intern,” including your English cover letter & CV (required) and a CV in Japanese (optional).

 

SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN, TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni (Remote)

Overview of Internship

The Social Media Intern will assist the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the U.S.-Japan Council and the TOMODACHI Alumni Coordinator in the area of social media and other marketing and communications for the TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni Leadership Program as needed.  Reports to the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the U.S.-Japan Council. This position requires conveying and dispersing information from TOMODACHI Alumni Affairs to the TOMODACHI alumni community, as well as the broader U.S.-Japan Council community. 

Key Focus Areas: Alumni Highlights, TOMO-KIN, Regional Events, USJC Events where TOMODACHI are invited to attend, etc.  Content should be created (using Canva) and shared via Instagram and Facebook (approximately 3-5 days a week) pertaining to one or more of these key areas: current events, upcoming events, past events, alumni news, updates, etc. 

 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be available to work 8 hours per week for six months
• Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written Japanese and English
• Maintain good academic standing at an accredited university, college, or technical school

Preferred Qualifications:

• Participated in a TOMODACHI Program 
• Background in communication or marketing is preferred though not required
• Short form video content creation and experience creating Posts, Stories, and Reels with good visibility and followership

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Applicants should be skilled and comfortable with the use of our current social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Beacons
• Applicants should possess a strong interest in US-Japan Relations, cross-sector collaboration, youth empowerment, and leadership development
• Applicants interest in social media should go beyond personal use to a curiosity of how it can most effectively show the impact of the TOMODACHI Generation 
• Applicants should have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Applicants should possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to work in a team

Additional Information:

• Minimum six month term is required. Opportunity to extend up to a year. 
• Can work virtually as long as there is a strong internet connection. 

 

To Apply: 

Send an email to: opportunities@usjapancouncil.org and alumni@usjapancouncil.org 

Subject line: TOMODACHI Internship – Social Media Intern

Required Documents:

• Availability to Work and/or Class Schedule
• Resume

Optional Documents:

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application 

Special Instructions:

• Please attach a Word Document or PDF with links sharing any content you have created. You can also include any relevant social media handles.

 

PROGRAM INTERN, TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni (Remote)

Overview of Internship

The Program Intern will assist the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the U.S.-Japan Council and the TOMODACHI Alumni Coordinator in the area of programming for the TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni Leadership Program. Reports to the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the U.S.-Japan Council. This position requires conveying and dispersing information from TOMODACHI Alumni Affairs to the TOMODACHI alumni community, as well as the broader U.S.-Japan Council community. 

Key program areas: Alumni Highlights (interviewing alumni and writing articles for newsletters), TOMO-KIN (organizing in-person and online sessions and supporting behind the scenes), Career Talks (outreach and programmatic support), USJC Business Advisory Board (outreach and programmatic support), and supporting other events as needed.

 

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be available to work 8 hours per week for six months
• Bilingual proficiency in spoken and written Japanese and English
• Maintain good academic standing at an accredited university, college, or technical school

Preferred Qualifications:

• Participated in a TOMODACHI Program 
• Experience in event planning, outreach strategy, and in-person gatherings 
• Experience with managing online events on zoom
• Experience facilitating events and discussions  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Applicants should be skilled and comfortable with the use of Google platforms: Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms 
• Applicants should possess a strong interest in US-Japan Relations, cross-sector collaboration, youth empowerment, and leadership development
• Applicants interest in event planning and program development should go beyond personal use to a curiosity of how it can most effectively show the impact of the TOMODACHI Generation 
• Applicants should have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Applicants should possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to work in a team

Additional Information:

• Minimum six month term is required. Opportunity to extend up to a year. 
• Must reside in Tokyo, Japan 

To Apply: 

Send email to: opportunities@usjapancouncil.org and alumni@usjapancouncil.org 

Subject line: TOMODACHI Internship – Program Intern

Required Documents:

• Availability to Work and/or Class Schedule
• Resume

Optional Documents:

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application 

Special Instructions:

• Please attach a Word Document or PDF with links sharing any content you have created. You can also include any relevant social media handles.