TOMODACHI Generation: Yuto Yamashita

 

Yuto Yamashita is a participant of the TOMODACHI FIRST Program. Born in Saga, Yamashita studied in Yokohama.

He was selected to join a Saga delegation to learn about entrepreneurship, and visited California in 2011. It was during this visit that the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. Experiencing this life-changing moment outside of Japan made Yamashita realize that he survived for a reason, and that he needed to give back to Tohoku and Japan. When he returned, Yamashita started working at Tasukeai Japan, a nonprofit that offers opportunities to college students to visit Tohoku and find ways to support the region.

His passion for the untold stories of the fishermen and farmers of the area also led him to reach out to a nonprofit organization, Tohoku Taberu Tsushin, with the mission of connecting and building personal relationships between urban consumers and producers in the Tohoku area. Deeply resonating their mission, Yamashita is currently living and working with farmers in Yamagata, building relationships with various farmers, fishermen and producers in the Tohoku area by listening to their stories and creating new ways of communication between consumers and producers. 

Through the TOMODACHI FIRST program, Yamashita gained inspiration from other members. He also learned about the food system and consumer-producer relationships in the U.S. while solidifying his vision as a connector. Yamashita believes that Tohoku after 3.11 offers many opportunities to take initiative and potentials to transform Japan.

• To read about this program, click here