The U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference 2023: Empowering Future Leaders: TOMODACHI Voices join the USJC Vision at the 2023 Annual Conference in Washington DC
From November 8 to 10, 2023, the 2023 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference was held in Washington, DC. The U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, a pivotal event in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections, welcomed over 500 attendees and was particularly illuminated by the engagement of 30 TOMODACHI alumni and participants representing a diverse range of programs, regions, careers, and interests.
On November 8, the TOMODACHI Workshop, “the Next Generation Launchpad” took place focusing on networking, mentorship, and cross-cultural collaboration. On November 9, five TOMODACHI alumni took the stage at the Closing Plenary to share their TOMODACHI experiences and stories of lasting impact on the topic of mentorship and cross-generational collaboration. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2023：Post Trip Seminar and Project Event
On September 23 and 24, 2023, the “TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program” post-training was held in Hyogo. On the morning of the first day, participants visited the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (DRI). Through a variety of exhibits and videos about the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the participants learned about the situation at that time and the disaster prevention wisdom and activities that the city is undertaking after the earthquake. Many of the materials provided hints for the themes to be presented at the project presentation, and the students eagerly took notes and brought the materials back home with them.
Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Music Outreach Program Participants Perform Music Show
On October 17 and 18, 2023, the TOMODACHI Goldman Sachs Music Outreach Program was held at Shogan Higashi Junior High School in Sendai, Miyagi and 98 third graders participated. Together with the cast members from HEART Global, an American non-profit organization, the participants created an hour-long show with dancing and singing.
Read More>>
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Application Open for the TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program
The application for the TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program is open now. The program was created to foster the next generation of leaders in Tohoku who will rediscover the charms of their town and revitalize it through the power of tourism.
The program will run for seven months and consists of four parts, including pre-departure seminars, a study trip to the United States, post-trip seminars, and a final presentation.
Please see the Japanese page for more details >>
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TOMODACHI New England Regional Event：Attended a performance of Madama Butterfly
On September 24th, TOMODACHI New England Regional alumni joined with the USJC New England region, and attended a performance of Madama Butterfly at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.
Emerson Colonial Theatre, which opened in 1900 with a production of Ben-Hur, is the oldest continuously operated theater in Boston; as well as being amongst the most magnificent, having retained most of its original period details.
Madama Butterfly was a special reimagining of the tragic story in a way that examines the experience of Japanese Americans during a critical moment in U.S. history. There were TOMDOACHI alumni in attendance. Support Council Leader, Keiko Orral (JALD ’14), was part of the cast, which made the show even more special for both USJC members and TOMODACHI alumni.
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TOMODACHI New England Regional Event：Online panel discussion
On October 17, TOMODACHI New England region collaborated with Japan Society of Boston and the JET Program in an online panel discussion on the realities of teaching, studying, working in Japan!
The panelists representing TOMODACHI were Tristan Norman who is a 2018 TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars Program alumni and currently working as an English teacher through the JET program in Hyogo, and Jaime Cerna who is a 2015 TOMODACHI Generation alumni and also participated in JET program in Okinawa from 2017 to 2023.
Jessyca Livingston gave a brief introduction of USJETAA (The United States Japan Exchange & Teaching Program Alumni Association) and New England Regional Representative, Felix Garcia, talked about the TOMODACHI Initiative. There were over 60 people in attendance. Here is a LINK to the recording on YouTube!
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TOMODACHI Kyushu Regional Event：Motsu Nabe Dinner Gathering in Kyushu
On October 23, 2023 the TOMODACHI Kyushu region hosted a motsu nabe dinner gathering with special guest, 2023 ELP cohort and JASP member, Ms. Melynie Yoneda.
Melynie Yoneda is an Account Director for Reuters News and Media Japan, where she serves as the Japan Team Lead for Reuters Professional, the digital advertising arm of Reuters. Taito Kameishi(TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program alumni), one of the alumni, commented, “We had an absolutely fantastic time today! I’m sure it was a rewarding and energizing experience for my wife and kids too. Huge thanks for your kindness and support!”
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Inspiring Connections at TOMO-KIN Career Talks Fall 2023
On October 5th, the TOMO-KIN Career Talks, a pivotal part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program, lit up WeWork Hibiya Fort Tower with the energy and aspirations of its attendees. Supported generously by Prudential, the event turned out to be an enlightening experience, particularly due to our esteemed guest speaker, Mr. Ryo Akima, President of Apple Japan Inc.
As the doors opened, the room quickly filled with anticipation. The event kicked off with warm welcomes and insightful opening remarks by USJC’s Mark Ikeno, setting the stage for Mr. Akima. Read More>>
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Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Aika May Talavera
For this interview, we talked with Aika May Talavera, an alumnus of the 2019-2020 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program, and is our current TOMODACHI Senior Alumni Intern.
Aika is also part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework that aims to connect and empower alumni in their respective regions across Japan and the United States. Under this framework, she is a core committee member representing the Kyushu region.
In her professional life, she teaches Japanese to U.S. military members all throughout Japan through her own online courses. She grew up within the military bases in Japan, and spoke to us about her experiences as a Japanese-Filipino growing up in U.S. Military Bases in Japan. In her spare time, she enjoys fitness, and has recently challenged herself to enter bodybuilding competitions. Read More>>
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TOMODACHI Opportunities
Interns, U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative (remote)
The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and the 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.
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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