TOMODACHI MUFG Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program Holds U.S. Training and Post-Program Reporting Session
From July 29 to August 6, 2024, the TOMODACHI MUFG Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program held its U.S. training in California, with 16 high school students selected from across Japan participating.
During the U.S. training, participants visited companies and organizations in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area, such as the Toyota Research Institute and Japan Innovation Campus. They learned about sustainability, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and entrepreneurship initiatives in the U.S., gaining insights to apply to their own projects. Additionally, participants experienced a ride in Waymo autonomous vehicles, offering them the chance to interact with cutting-edge technology unique to the Bay Area. The program also provided opportunities for cultural experiences and communication in English through exchanges with American high school students and visits to Stanford University.
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TOMODACHI Summer SoftBank Leadership Program 2.0: Empowering Future Leaders - U.S. Training at UC Berkeley
From July 30 to August 18, 2024, the U.S. training of the TOMODACHI Summer SoftBank Leadership Program 2.0 was held, and twelve Japanese high school and university level students along with three community mentors participated in the training at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). The program focused on leadership and community contribution, guiding these participants to create action plans for social issues in their local communities in Tohoku.
The participants deepened their learning on leadership through a curriculum based on Y-PLAN, which emphasizes leadership, collaboration, practical problem-solving, resilience, and innovation. They visited various organizations in North Richmond and the Bay Area during their stay to learn more about community revitalizaion. The program highlighted the importance of teamwork, with students living and working together throughout the experience.
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TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program: Participants Learned and Reflected on Leadership and Cross-Cultural Understanding in Southern California
The TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program 2024 was held in Los Angeles, California in August. This year’s participants, a group of 20 Japanese high school students, spent 11 days immersed in the diverse culture and rich history of the region. Through various site visits, meaningful discussions, and hands-on experiences, the students developed new perspectives on leadership and deepened their understanding of the close ties between Japan and the United States.
On the first day of the program, the participants visited the Official Residence of Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles and met Consul General Sone and his staff to have enriching conversations on leadership. Then, the program had a chance to invite members and leaders of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) for a panel discussion which was full of advice for the young leaders. During their stay, they visited several organizations and institutions, including a local high school, Caltech, Japan House, the Japanese American National Museum, the Museum of Tolerance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Terasaki Institute, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
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TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Theme Event in Okinawa Region: Collaboration Event with U.S. Consulate General in Okinawa
On August 31, 26 participants gathered for a collaboration event with the U.S. Consulate in Okinawa, a networking event titled "Connecting Vertically, Horizontally, and Diagonally!" at a restaurant on a U.S. military base. Over a delightful brunch, alumni from various American programs enjoyed casual and meaningful connections. Not only TOMODACHI alumni but also IVLP and Consulate program alumni joined, fostering diverse relationships. Marimo Higa, the TOMODACHI Regional Representative of Okinawa Region and an alumna of2 019-2020 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program , said she was not able to meet her fellow program participants because her program was during COVID-19, so she was happy to meet many TOMODACHI alumni in person at the event.
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Audrey Yamamoto, President & CEO of the U.S.-Japan Council, visits New England.
On August 8th, the New England region welcomed President & CEO of the U.S-Japan Council, Audrey Yamamoto, to Boston. The day began with an exclusive meeting at the Boston Japanese Consulate office between Audrey, New England USJC co-chairs Heike Boeltzig-Brown and Chris Pilcavage, New England TOMODACHI Alumni Rep Felix Garcia and Consul General Kotaro Suzuki. We discussed the activities of the Council and exchanged views on how to strengthen the Japan-US relationship in the New England region.
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Q&A with TOMODACHI Program Participants and TOMODACHI Alumni: Felix Garcia
In this interview, we spoke with Felix Garcia, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston with a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology and a minor in Japanese. Felix is an alum of the TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference in Boston and is deeply passionate about cross-cultural collaboration. His academic and personal experiences have fueled his interest in exploring the intersections of technology, ethics, and social justice. With a strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in both the tech industry and broader society, Felix is particularly intrigued by how technology can be used as a tool to address cultural and systemic inequities.
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APPLY NOW!: 2024 Next Generation Launchpad
2024 Next Generation Launchpad Details:
Date: October 29th 2024 (Tuesday)
Time: 14:30-17:00 JST
(doors open 2:15pm; room open for setup from 2pm)
Location: Cerulean Hotel, Lunare Room (39th Floor) Information
Language: English
Please sign up HERE
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TOMODACHI Opportunities
Fundraising and Sponsorship Management
The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative have started recruiting for the “TOMODACHI Program Manager” position.Working under the direction of the Director of TOMODACHI Programs, the Program Manager is responsible to develop, execute, manage, monitor and evaluate TOMODACHI programs, including managing relationships with implementing organizations.
For more information, click here.
TOMODACHI PROGRAM MANAGER
The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) & TOMODACHI Initiative have started recruiting 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.
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.
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