TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar 2025 – Final Presentation
On December 7, 2025, the final presentation of the TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar 2025 was held at the Boeing Japan Headquarters. Now in its 15th year, the program supports students from high schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, universities, and graduate schools across Japan in developing entrepreneurial skills and leadership. This year, the program was refreshed with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, enabling participants to integrate technical knowledge with an entrepreneurial mindset.
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TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program Participants Share Their Experiences at Their Schools
High school students who participated in the TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program in the summer of 2025 gave presentations at their respective schools from after their return through the end of the year, sharing their experiences from the program. These presentations were conducted as part of the program, with the generous support and cooperation of teachers at each school.
Below are selected comments from participants reflecting on their preparation and presentation experiences.
Comments from Seiji Ichijo
“During the Q&A session, I was asked how I hope to apply what I learned to my future. Reflecting once again on the connection between my future aspiration—to become a researcher—and leadership, which was my main reason for applying to the program, helped me better understand what I should be focusing on at this stage of my life.”
Comments from Kanon Takami
“At my school, I realized that more students than I had expected are interested in studying abroad. Through this presentation, I was able to share the message that I hope others will take on new challenges even if they are not confident in their English. I felt that encouraging others by sharing my own experiences and emphasizing the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone is something I can do right now.”
Following their return, participants have been giving back to their local communities by sharing what they learned and demonstrating their leadership skills through these presentations. Through such activities, they are expected to continue playing an active role as young leaders who serve as bridges between Japan and the United States.
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Applications Open for the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program 2026
The application for the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program 2026 is open now. Please click below to download the application materials.
This scholarship is offered to undergraduate students who will take part in the study abroad programs offered at 12 partner universities, including Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, University of Tokyo, Keio University, Waseda University, Chuo University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Doshisha University, Osaka University, Kyushu University, and the University of the Ryukyus.
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TOMODACHI Alumni Highlight Series – Kiina Wakiyama
Kiina Wakiyama is involved in the management of DO-IT Japan, a leadership program for young people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, run by the Social Inclusion Systems research group at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo. Kiina is passionate about advocating for the rights of people with diverse characteristics and needs to live authentically in society, and about walking alongside them as they pursue what they want to challenge and achieve.
Kiina developed a severe neurological illness during high school and has since faced numerous social barriers in pursuing further education, employment, and various forms of social participation. Hoping to foster broader empathy and understanding of the realities of living with a disability, she participated in the 2022 TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities program.
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TOMODACHI Opportunities
TOMODACHI Initiative Program Intern
The internship at the TOMODACHI Initiative 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 occasionally be asked to assist with in-person tasks at the office or support events as needed.
U.S.-Japan Council Development Intern
The Development 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.
Alumni Intern
The Alumni Social Media Intern will assist the Director of Programs and Partnerships for the U.S.-Japan Council and the TOMODACHI Alumni Program Manager in the area of programming, 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.
Please see here for details on the above intern recruitment information.
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