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November 2024 Issue

USJC Annual Conference: The Speakers of NGS 2024 Take the Stage　

On October 31, the Public Symposium of the USJC Annual Conference was held at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel. This year’s conference, “Forging Our Future Together: The New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations”, was focused on the leadership required to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our future.

The closing plenary highlighted the TOMODACHI Alumni winners of the TOMO Voice Pitch Contest held at the Next Generation Summit. Moderated by Riley Masunaga, the panelists Miku Hayashida, Hikari Igarashi, and Shotaro Abe shared the inspiring action for positive change they are taking in their communities, to a crowd of over 700 people.
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2024 Next Generation Launchpad　

The TOMODACHI Next Generation Launchpad, held on October 29, 2024, offered young leaders and TOMODACHI alumni an invaluable experience, focused on leadership, networking, and career growth. Hosted before the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, the event opened with inspiring introductions from Kaoru Utada and Ai Asakura. Roger Nozaki, Vice President for Strategy and Programs at the Barr Foundation, delivered opening remarks on “The Value of Networking,” emphasizing how connections shape opportunities.
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TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative: Climate and Food System Awareness Program Kicks Off　

The first online session for the TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative: Climate and Food System Awareness Program was held as an orientation on October 6, 2024 (JST). This program focuses on the global challenges of climate change and agriculture, fostering leadership development through exchanges between university students from Niigata Prefecture, Japan, and Texas, USA. Twenty students, ten from each region, met for the first time during this session. While some initial nervousness was evident, the breakout sessions provided a valuable opportunity for lively discussions and exchanging ideas.
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TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework: Kyushu Alumni Event with Janelle Sasaki　

On Monday, November 4, some Kyushu TOMODACHI alumni gathered for a dinner with Janelle Sasaki, Women Athletes Business Network (WABN) Leader, Director, Brand Marketing & Communications at EY Japan Co., Ltd., who is also a long time partner of many of TOMODACHI programs.

We had five alumni join the dinner, and we exchanged updates over delicious Fukuoka local dishes. Because one of the alumni has been working in Manila, Philippines, the conversation topics included women’s leadership, challenges and learnings, and work ethic differences and similarities in the Philippines, the U.S. and Japan. Chika Shiraishi met Janelle in person for the first time as she joined the program during the pandemic when all of the sessions were conducted virtually. Christine Pearson, who is an alumna of TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program 2017-2018, said that it is interesting that she always finds some connections when she talks with TOMODACHI alumni as you say, “Like attracts like-minded.”

TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework: Networking Event in Kyushu Regional

The TOMODACHI Kyushu Regional Framework hosted a networking event at awabar Fukuoka on October 26th, 2024.
Kyushu Regional Rep. Ryo Inoue shared his purpose of the Kyushu Regional Framework: to give children the time to think of their future by providing stories of different fields. As for the events remaining this year, he stated there should be preparations to lead to the goal.

Let’s Celebrate the New Year Together at the USJC & TOMODACHI Shinnenkai!　

We are delighted to invite you to join us for the USJC and TOMODACHI Initiative Joint Shinnenkai to celebrate the beginning of a new year together. This special event is a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements, build stronger connections, and look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Event Details:

WHEN: January 20, 2025 (Monday)

TIME: 7pm-9:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

LOCATION: Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park, Shin-Tokyo Bldg 8F (D Room)

COST:

USJC Member - 2,000 JPY
USJC Sponsor Representative - 2,000 JPY
TOMODACHI Alumni - 2,000 JPY
Guest of USJC Member or TOMODACHI Alumni - 3,000 JPY

REGISTRATION: Please sign up HERE

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 10, 2025 (Friday)

This Shinnenkai will bring together students and dynamic leaders from the USJC and TOMODACHI communities. Whether you’re reconnecting with old friends or making new ones, expect lively conversations, and the chance to strengthen our commitment to building a stronger U.S.-Japan relations.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to be part of something special. RSVP by Friday, January 10, 2025 to secure your spot and join us in welcoming the new year in style!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

TOMODACHI Alumni Highlight: Keegan Rapp, from TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024　

This month’s alumni highlight features Keegan Rapp, who delivered an inspiring speech at the TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024. Keegan is an alumnus of the The Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Morgan Stanley Ambassadors Program, a collaboration with The Washington Center offering a semester-long internship experience in Washington, D.C. A 2021 graduate of Queens University of Charlotte, Keegan furthered his commitment to service by joining AmeriCorps in Colorado, working with Habitat for Humanity. He teaches English in Kagoshima City as an Assistant Language Teacher through the JET Program. In the near future, he plans to return to the U.S. to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration, focusing on community and economic development, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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TOMODACHI Alumni Highlight: Sena Someya, from TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024　

This month’s alumni highlight features Sena Someya, who delivered an inspiring speech at the TOMODACHI Next Generation Summit 2024. Sena Someya is an alumna of the 2023 TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities. She graduated from the Tokyo University of Science in the School of Management this spring where she studied marketing, gender, and minorities. Sena suffers from a congenital disease called spinal muscular atrophy, and has been in a wheelchair since she was a child. She wants to change the negative image of wheelchairs and disabilities by talking about her life, and tell many people that people with wheelchairs and disabilities can have fun. She has been giving lectures at companies in Japan and sharing information on social media to gradually spread awareness.
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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.

Fundraising and Sponsorship Management
The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking candidates for the “Fundraising and Sponsorship Management” position. The individual responsible for Fundraising and Sponsorship Management will work to develop and maintain relationships with partners, donors, and government counterparts in both the U.S. and Japan.
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.

Update from Team TOMODACHI - November 2024

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.