TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities 2024 Participants Visit Northrop Grumman Corporation
On January 20, 2025, participants of the “TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities” 2024 program visited Northrop Grumman Corporation, the program’s sponsor. A total of 15 individuals, including three program alumni, gathered at the venue, while one additional alumna participated online in this hybrid event.
Following an overview of the program, the attendees watched four videos created by participants during the program. These videos showcased each participant’s personal challenges and their journeys to overcome them. After the video screening, Northrop Grumman employees engaged with the participants, asking questions and providing feedback.
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TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program 2025 Launches
The TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program 2025, which aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Tohoku region, has begun in Kesennuma, Miyagi. 16 high school students from Kesennuma City have been selected to participate in this fulfilling seven-month program. Comprising pre-departure sessions, a study trip to the U.S., post-trip sessions, and the final presentation, the program aims to have high school students independently consider revitalization strategies through tourism, rediscovering charms of their region. Launched in 2019, this year marks the third iteration of the program. Expectations are high for the kinds of ideas the high school students, who will be the future leaders of Kesennuma, will generate.
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Now Accepting Applications for the Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Morgan Stanley Ambassadors Program
Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Morgan Stanley Ambassadors Program is currently recruiting candidates for its 2025 program, which will take place from August 3 – August 19, 2025 (tentative).
The Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Morgan Stanley Ambassadors Program is an intensive, two-week program designed for Japanese students with an interest in leadership training, cross-cultural exchange, and entrepreneurial approaches to addressing social challenges. The program is held in Washington, D.C. This program is generously funded by Morgan Stanley.
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Tohoku TOMODACHI Alumni Gathered to Learn about the Great East Japan Earthquake and for an Evening of Networking
The TOMODACHI Alumni Gathering in Tohoku was held on Saturday, February 8 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.
The first program was a visit to the Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki City, to hear the story of Mr. Sato, who is active as a storyteller. In his story, Mr. Sato shared his “real thoughts and feelings” of that time, which could not be obtained from the Internet or other sources.
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Over 100 Attend the U.S.-Japan Council & TOMODACHI Shinnenkai 2025
On January 20th, the U.S.-Japan Council and TOMODACHI Shinnenkai 2025 were held at Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park. Over 100 attendees participated, including TOMODACHI alumni, members of the USJC Japan chapter, their families, friends, and business leaders from various fields. Students also participated.
During the opening remarks, the U.S. Embassy in Japan and Mark Ikeno and Henry Takata representing the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) shared words to welcome guests and kick off the festivities. The panel discussion featured three speakers from Deloitte Tohmatsu: COO,Sosuke Nagayama, Andrew Chang from the Global Business Division, and Kanako Uchida, a TOMODACHI alumna. They discussed topics such as careers, leadership, motivation, and realizing goals and dreams.
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TOMODACHI Virtual Game Night is Happening!
On Saturday, February 8th, TOMODACHI Regional Framework hosted our first ever Virtual Game Night! Alumni from different regions in the U.S. and Japan came together via Zoom and played games like Pictionary, Code Names, and Trivia Murder Party (from Jackbox Games). Stay tuned for more game nights and cross-regional events!
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TOMODACHI Alumni Survey 2025
We want to hear from you! As a valued member of the TOMODACHI community, your feedback is incredibly important to us. We invite you to participate in the TOMODACHI Alumni Survey, which will help us improve programs, resources, and engagement opportunities for our growing community.
Why participate?
Not only will your insights help shape the future of TOMODACHI, but by completing the survey, as a special incentive, one lucky participant will be selected to attend the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference in Hawaii – a unique opportunity to connect with global leaders, gain new perspectives, and expand your professional network!
Survey Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Take the Survey Here
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will remain confidential and be used solely for enhancing our initiatives.
Your voice matters, and we appreciate your time and feedback. Thank you for being a vital part of the TOMODACHI community!
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Save the Date! TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2025
📅 Date: Saturday, August 2, 2025
📍 Location: Tokyo American Club
Join us for the TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2025, a premier gathering of young leaders, alumni, and changemakers dedicated to fostering U.S.-Japan relations and driving global impact.
This event will feature inspiring TOMODACHI Alumni speakers, dynamic panel discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities. We are excited to continue with the same structure from last year, featuring three components below, but upscaling the event to provide an even more impactful experience and opportunities to network for everybody.
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TOMO Voice Speech Contest: Hear innovative ideas and passion from TOMODACHI alumni
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Panel Discussion: TOMODACHI alumni will share insights into pressing issues surrounding the world today and the significant impact of youth involvement.
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Tsunagari Hub Interactive Booth Area: Connect with corporate representatives and organizations to hear about their practice and how they are revamping workplaces to cater to the changing needs of society. There will also be information available for those interested in studying abroad.
Stay tuned for more details, including speakers, agenda, participating companies and organization, and registration information!
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TOMODACHI Alumni Highlight: Shotaro Abe, from TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024
This month’s alumni highlight features Shotaro Abe, who delivered an inspiring speech at TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024. Shotaro is an alumnus of the TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar, and he is currently a student at Waseda University’s School of Education. Shotaro is the Founder of Kamaclassic, a project he was inspired to put together with his peers from his TOMODACHI program. With his love for classical music and Kamakura being his hometown, Shotaro was motivated to organize a concert in a 600-seat hall where he accomplished his goals through passion and perseverance.
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Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Mizuki Sakai
In this interview, we spoke with Mizuki Sakai, a third-year student majoring in International Liberal Studies at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Mizuki is an alumni of the TOMODACHI – U.S. Embassy Go for Gold Sports Leadership Program, and was also a TOMODACHI Alumni Social Media Intern. She currently studies abroad in Italy as a foreign exchange student. She plans to pursue a career in marketing or branding after college graduation to become an international leader who aspires to connect Japan with other countries.
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TOMODACHI Opportunities
TOMODACHI PROGRAM MANAGER
The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking candidates for the “TOMODACHI PROGRAM MANAGER” position.the Program Manager is responsible to develop, execute, manage, monitor and evaluate TOMODACHI programs, including managing relationships with implementing organizations. The Program Manager will work with individuals from the U.S.-Japan Council, the U.S. Embassy, TOMODACHI Initiative sponsors, and other key TOMODACHI team members in the implementation of this mission.
For more information, click here.
Interns, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative (remote)
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.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Social Media Intern, TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni (remote)
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.
For more information, click here.
Please send applications to alumni@usjapancouncil.org.
Program Intern, TOMODACHI Initiative Alumni (remote)
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.
For more information, click here.
Please send applications to alumni@usjapancouncil.org.
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