July 2025 Issue

TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program: 11th Cohort Share their Learnings from the Program Participation 

On July 8, 2025, the Study Abroad Report Session for the TOMODACHI Sumitomo Corporation Scholarship Program was held, bringing together scholarship recipients and related parties.
During the event, the 10 members of the 11th cohort—who studied in the United States from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025 as exchange students—delivered presentations in English based on individual themes. They shared what they learned during their time abroad and how they plan to apply those experiences moving forward.
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TOMODACHI NAJAS Grassroots Exchange Program: High School Students from San Antonio Visit Sister City Kumamoto 

From June 14 to 22, 2025, four high school students from San Antonio, Texas participated in the TOMODACHI NAJAS Grassroots Exchange Program – San Antonio and Kumamoto. As part of the program, they visited Kumamoto City, Japan, which is the sister city of San Antonio.
During the program, the participants visited iconic sites in Kumamoto, including Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen Garden, and the caldera of Mt. Aso. These experiences helped the students learn about the region’s history and culture, and also served as conversation starters when interacting with local residents, deepening mutual understanding.
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TOMODACHI MUFG Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program Kickoff 

The TOMODACHI MUFG Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program 2025 held five online pre-departure training sessions from June to July, attended by 20 high school students selected from across Japan.The program is based on the belief that entrepreneurship and leadership are qualities that everyone possesses and can develop. It aims to nurture leaders who will contribute to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and actively address challenges related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Recruitment Open for the TOMODACHI SMBC Shaka-kachi Leadership Program

We are recruiting undergraduate students from universities across Japan!

This program aims to foster the next generation of leaders who are passionate about solving social issues and committed to creating both social and economic value, ultimately driving positive change in society. Over the course of six months, participants will cultivate a global mindset through diverse leadership development training and be empowered to actively engage with social challenges in Japan and around the world.

Application Deadline: Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM (JST)
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Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Chiaki Nakawatari

Chiaki Nakawatari is a 2024 TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program alumna. She is currently a third-year student at Ofunato High School in Iwate Prefecture. As the student council president, she has led several initiatives, including changing the school uniform policy, setting up a student opinion box, and establishing an on-campus bookstore, in addition to fulfilling her regular duties on the council.
At Ofunato  High School, Chiaki also serves as the manager of the boys’ tennis team, president of the campus Junior Red Cross, and a member of the News Club. As part of the News Club, she competed in a national competition last year.
Following a forest fire in Ofunato City early last year, she took an initiative to organize a volunteer group at her school and currently serves as its representative. The group continues to collaborate with the City Activity Center, the Youth Center, and the local Social Welfare Council to share information about volunteer opportunities. The group now has 176 student members.
The volunteer group is planning to have a booth at the upcoming “FIGHT BACK” music festival in Morioka City.
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TOMODACHI Opportunities

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL (Japan) Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator will work closely with Managers, Directors, and other senior staff to provide administrative support in the development, coordination and execution of assigned programs that support and promote USJC’s mission. This position is responsible for the administrative and operational functions required to coordinate activities, manage events, and provide administrative and staff support for assigned programs, which include new and existing USJC signature, regional, and other educational programs in various areas.

This is a full-time position based in the U.S.-Japan Council Tokyo office which allows teleworking.  This will be a one year contract for the first five years and renewed every year.   A Japanese native and fluency in English is required. USJC does not sponsor visas for working in Japan.

For more information and to apply, click here.

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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Update from Team TOMODACHI - July 2025

For donors, supporters, and friends of the TOMODACHI Initiative and the TOMODACHI Generation.

Led by the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges and leadership programs.