TOMODACHI Generation: Yutaroh Kumagai

Yutaroh Kumagai participated in the TOMODACHI Dallas-Sendai Young Ambassador’s Program in the summer of 2013.  He was selected to participate in the TOMODACHI BEYOND Tomorrow Global Leadership Academy 2014 and learned the importance of speaking his mind, working with his team, and realized that there are many options for his future. 

“At first, I was overwhelmed by everyone and I could not speak as I thought.  However, as I realized that I cannot communicate just by thinking and I learned the importance of taking a step forward.  Once I changed my way of thinking, I was able to speak my mind more freely and we were able to develop a presentation that we were pleased with.

Although I was affected by the disaster of 3.11, I did not lose family, friends or my home.  On this program, I met people who had suffered and it made me recall the pain that many people had experienced.  As we rethink disaster prevention, we need to ensure that our stories and experiences are told and that our suffering is not forgotten.  I plan on staying in touch with the new friends that I have made on this program. 

During the TOMODACHI study abroad session I was able to hear the panelists’ experiences on studying abroad and they made me realize that I have many study abroad options for my future.

My dream is to become an attorney.  I realized my potential because of this program and I hope to become successful attorney that can be a bridge between Japan and the United States in the future.“