October 2023 TOMODACHI Update

October 2023 Issue

The 8th Fellow Graduated from the TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship

In October 2023, Natsumi Aoki, a participant in the TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship program at Parsons The New School for Design (“Parsons”), graduated from the school. Additionally, she completed an internship at UNIQLO USA, which supports the activity, and completed the program.

The TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship is an initiative that promises Japanese citizens who aspire to be globally-oriented business managers or fashion designers to receive a top U.S. graduate education in business and fashion. It is hoped that the program will help talented young Japanese aspiring managers and designers realize their dreams and become internationally active in the future.

Natsumi began her studies at Parsons in August 2020 and graduated from the school in May 2023 after taking a leave of absence due to the spread of the pandemic. For her graduation project, she used her knowledge of traditional materials to create a piece inspired by today’s protective clothing, such as techwear, using organic materials like wool and silk. With the cooperation of Fast Retailing, she also used synthetic fabrics leftover. Read More>>

The 13th TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar

The 13th TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar kicked off on August 13, 2023, and concluded its Step 2 on October 15, 2023.

During the seminar, which included Step 1 through Step 6, students learn together how to think and perceive things in order to take new steps as many times as they like in order to realize their project, through team activities and mentoring.

Participants, who had previously introduced themselves in emails, met online to share the purpose of this program, and strengthen their feelings about the activities. Rinka Murakami, one of the participants, said, “The people I get along with in my daily life and at school are people who are similar to me, but there are many different types of people in this seminar, so I thought it was a valuable encounter. I hope we can work hard together and spend the next eight months.”
Read More>>

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 >>

TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework: Washington D.C. Regional Event

On September 23, 2023 TOMODACHI Washington D.C. alumni and their guests went to a DIY terrarium building event PlantHouse in Alexandria, VA. They had great turnout on a rainy day due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. Everyone made unique terrariums and had a great time meeting new alumni and reconnecting with others. Everyone was able to choose from a variety of decorations and plant options to create unique terrariums.

Colin Timmerman (alumnus of TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Conference V in 2017) said, “the terrarium event was a great opportunity to connect with other TOMODACHI alumni and friends while doing a fun, unique activity.”

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.

Update from Team TOMODACHI - October 2023

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.