TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0

TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy (GLA 2.0)

The TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0 is a two-part leadership program for high school and college student alumni of TOMODACHI programs residing in Japan to come together to discuss what makes a global leader, provide hands-on mentorship and leadership experiences, and to think more in-depth on how you can give back to your community with a final presentation.

The 2025 program will focus on three key areas: 1) Leadership Skills Development, 2) Cultivating Global Responsibility, and 3) Fostering a Deep Sense of Community. The program will be held in two parts: the first part will be held in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, and the second part will be held in Tokyo where they will share their lessons learned in their final presentations.

This program will build upon the previous program (TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy) that was focused on Tohoku high school students, this program will be a new and scaled up version for high school students from all across Japan, led by a former participant of the initial program Rimpei Takahashi and through his current nonprofit MACHITOKO. This initiative is part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program supported by Prudential,

Participants will be selected from the TOMODACHI program alumni pool after careful evaluation of their motivation in building upon the lessons they have learned in their respective programs to take the next step towards supporting and enhancing their communities and becoming a global leader.

TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0 (GLA 2.0)

Three Core Areas:

Developing Leadership Skills
Cultivating Global Responsibility
Fostering a Deep Sense of Community

Who can apply:

High school and university students from across Japan who have previously participated in any of the TOMODACHI Programs, the Watanabe Scholarships, or the Mineta Ambassador’s Program.
Applicants must be high school students, university students, or graduate students at the time of program participation (including technical colleges, junior colleges, vocational schools, and graduate schools).
Required information must be submitted via the application form by Monday, March 31, 2025, 23:59 (JST).
If selected in the document screening, applicants must be available to participate in an online interview between April 8 (Tue) and April 12 (Sat), 2025.
Applicants must be willing to actively engage in group activities and demonstrate leadership.
Applicants should possess flexibility and teamwork skills to adapt to diverse cultures, as well as maintain both physical and mental well-being.
Applicants must be available to participate in all program activities, including the pre-orientation.

Program Details:

Locations: Onagawa and Tokyo
Participants: 16 high school students
Mentors: 4 college students
Duration & Dates: Two-part program with sessions held in June in Tohoku and November.
- Online Orientation: Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Tohoku Session – Jun 28(Sat)-29(Sun)*
  - Workshops on leadership, global issues, and community contribution.
  - Group discussions and collaborative projects.
  - Site visit to learn about the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the roots of the TOMODACHI Initiative.
- Tokyo Session – Nov 30 (Sun) – Dec 2nd (Tue)*
  - Continued development of leadership skills with a focus on actionable outcomes.
  - Networking opportunities with alumni and leaders.
  - Presentations of community projects and ideas developed over the year.
  - Site visits to corporate headquarters and opportunity to hear of various career journeys

*Attendance in all sessions is mandatory.
Application Details:

Applications to open: March 1, 2025 JST
Applications to close: March 31, 2025 JST
Announcements sent: April 18, 2025 JST

Application: Complete and submit the required information HERE.

Selection Process:

First Round: Document screening

※ Only successful applicants will receive a notification email around Friday, April 4.

Second Round: Online interview (April 8 (Tue) – April 12 (Sat), 2025)

Final Selection Notification: Applicants will be informed by Friday, April 18.

Participation Fee: Free (Round-trip transportation from major Shinkansen stations in each prefecture, accommodation, and meals will be covered by the organizer.)

※ Participants will be responsible for covering lunch on Day 2 of Part 1.

Program Language: Japanese

About GLA 2.0.

The TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0 aims to fill the pipeline early to support youth to reach their full potential as leaders of the next generation by focusing on the long-term benefits supporting lifelong learning and critical thinking that are so important to be globally competitive in the 21st century. The initial iteration was one focused on Tohoku and we had aimed to further develop this program as a scalable program to the rest of Japan. There may be programs focused on supporting youth to have equal opportunities as their peers, but we want to support those stars and future leaders to reach their full potential. It is an area that lacks funding and support due to the time commitment but the rewards are exponential and sustainable with long-term impact.
These TOMODACHI alumni have a unique viewpoint as students who have been able to travel to the United States (most for the first time) and to see their region and country from the outside in an objective manner, thereby being able to grp a bigger picture view of the pertinent issues in their community, region, country, and how it connects globally. By being joined with mentors (college students) active in their communities, they will be exposed to new ideas and new careers on how they might continue their interests locally while keeping their mindsets globally.

For information on the previous TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy program, which was held until 2021, please click here.

Introducing TOMODACHI Alumni Rimpei Takahashi.

Born in 1997 in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Rimpei Takahashi’s life was profoundly shaped by two significant events. The first was when at the age of 14, he experienced the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake, an event that would influence his future path. The second was during his senior year of high school when he participated in a TOMODACHI program that took him to the United States that proved to be a transformative experience.

Initially planning to become a teacher, he enrolled at Nippon Sport Science University after graduating high school. However, his involvement with TOMODACHI sparked a deep interest in youth development in the Tohoku region. This newfound passion led Rimpei to reconsider his career path. Rather than pursuing teaching in a traditional setting, he chose to focus on the unique educational possibilities within Tohoku. He decided to channel his efforts through non-profit work, believing this approach would allow him to make a more significant impact on youth development in the region.

Currently, Rimpei works at NPO Machitoko, an educational non-profit organization based in Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. At Machitoko, he dedicates himself to supporting and empowering young people throughout the Tohoku region, combining his personal experiences, education, and vision for a brighter future for his home prefecture.

In a significant development, Rimpei has been chosen as the main implementer for this exciting new TOMODACHI program. Building upon a previous initiative that focused on Tohoku high school students, this new program represents a scaled-up version designed for high school students from across Japan. As a former participant of the initial program, Rimpei brings unique insights and personal experience to his role in leading this expanded initiative through his current nonprofit, Machitoko. This project marks an important step in Rimpei’s journey from program participant to program implementer, exemplifying the long-term impact and success of TOMODACHI’s mission.

Introducing Implementing Partner MACHITOKO:

In the town of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011, the company has taken over the operations of Onagawa Mukogakkan, a collaborative school run by Katariba, a certified NPO, and is implementing educational activities there.

With the mission of “creating an educational ecosystem to nurture children in the community,” the school creates a place for children to stay and learn after school hours, and during the daytime, the school provides classes and learning support. It also aims to create opportunities for elementary and junior high school students as well as high school students and other young people to connect with Onagawa Town, their hometown.

For more information: https://machitoko.net/

About the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.

This program is part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program supported by Prudential. For more information:
2021, please click here.