TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program
The goal of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program is to help strengthen disaster nursing in Japan. Over approximately half a year of training, participants are expected to build on their experience following the Great East Japan Earthquake, acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to disasters and emergencies, and play an active role in their respective regions as future leaders in the field of disaster nursing by sharing their knowledge with others.
The program consists of three main components: 1) Pre-Trip Seminars, 2) a Study Tour in the United States, and 3) Post-Trip Seminars. Previously, the Pre-Trip Seminars took place in Miyagi Prefecture during June and July. The Study Tour lasted for two weeks during the month of August. Participants visited facilities and organizations specializing in disaster medicine and nursing in New York and Washington, D.C.
Following the completion of their Study Tour in the United States, each participant engaged in initiatives that allowed them to apply the skills and techniques that they learned abroad at home. The symposium that took place at the end of the year was an opportunity for participants to share their experiences with one another.
For more information about the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program, click here.
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2024
- To see 2024 participants, click here
1. Orientation and Pre-Trip Seminars (June)
The ten 9th cohort students of the 2024 TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program and two mentors were selected. The participants were a diverse group, spanning the country from Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Okinawa, with different school years and experiences. This program consists of three parts: pre-training, U.S. training, and post-training/final debriefing sessions.
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TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2023
- For the 2023 press release, click here
- To see 2023 participants, click here
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
1. Orientation and Pre-Trip Seminars (May – July)
The ten 8th cohort students of the 2023 TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program and two mentors were selected from many applicants. Participants were a diverse group, spanning the country from Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Shikoku, with different school years and experiences. Read More>>
2. U.S. Study Tour (August)
From August 5th to 18th, 2023, ten nursing students visited New York City, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. for the first time in four years since 2019 during the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2023. In the first half of the training, they visited the 911 Memorial Museum in NY, located on the site of the terrorist attacks in 2001. There they learned the horror and the magnitude of the damage of man-made disasters by actually seeing with their own eyes the images that tell the story of what happened at that time. At New York University Medical Center, lecturers from various departments in the hospital covered the kinds of Covid-19 responses taken and the lessons learned from that experience. Read More>>
3. Post-Trip Seminar and Project Event (September & October)
On September 23 and 24, 2023, the post-training was held in Hyogo and the Project Event was held in Tokyo on October 21. 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, disaster prevention prudence, and activities that the city is undertaking after the earthquake.
At the Project Event, in addition to presentations by cohort’s team, the event included a disaster prevention game by the Japan Society of Disaster Nursing Student Association. Misa Negishi,a 2021 program cohort founded the association. Then the participants listened to a video lecture by Dr. Margaret Quinn of Rutgers College of Nursing in New Jersey, USA. Read More>>
4. Final Presentation (December)
The final presentation of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program was held online on December 11th, 2023. One of the participants, Mao Ishizu, reflected “the final debriefing session allowed us to look back and verbalize the past six months and integrate our learning to this point. In addition to acquiring knowledge and skills related to disaster nursing, this program has allowed me to hone my communication and leadership skills. As I gained new perspectives through various experiences, I was able to enrich my insight on disaster nursing and think about my own future direction and personal growth. In addition, I have also encountered wonderful colleagues, whom I consider the most precious treasure of all.” Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2022
- For the 2022 press release, click here
- To see 2022 participants, click here
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see 2022 program brochure click here (only available in Japanese )
1. Pre-Trip Seminar (June – July)
On June 18-19, 2022, the pre-trip seminar 1 was held in Sendai and ten nursing students selected from all over Japan attended it. On July 16-17, 2022, pre-trip seminar 2 was held at Johnson & Johnson Families of Company headquarters in Japan. A workshop by Taiyo Okada of Basic Ph Japan was included to learn methods to help disaster workers recover mentally, and a triage workshop by Masamune Kuno of the Emergency Medical Center, Nippon Medical School, at Tama Nagayama Hospital. The practical training included group work and role-playing exercises. Read More>>
2. U.S. Study Tour (August)
The 9-day U.S. study tour held from August 8 to 18, 2022, was conducted online due to the impact of the coronavirus. Still, participants learned about the roles and responses of U.S. healthcare professionals in the areas of disaster nursing, community nursing, and mental health. The program was a great success. In addition to lectures by numerous experts on a wide variety of topics, this year’s training included activities using the interactive app in which digital mannequins were used to perform initial disaster response, a triage exercise using an actual disaster as a scenario, and group discussions on materials distributed as part of the pre-session material. Read More>>
3. Final Presentation (December)
The final presentation was held online on December 11. Opening remarks was made by Junko Tsuda, Executive Director of the U.S.-Japan Council-Japan. Then, the students who participated in the program, represented by Hikari Inayoshi, You Sato, and Haruka Hisamatsu, presented what they had learned during the six-month program, which brought together students from different grades, backgrounds, and future goals. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2021
- For the 2021 press release, click here
- To see 2021 participants, click here
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see program commemorative publication, click here (only available in Japanese )
The program consists of three major parts: Pre-Trip Seminar, U.S. Study Tour, and Post-Trip Seminar. Due to the impact of COVID-19, from October 2021, this year’s program ran completely online. After six days of the Pre-Trip Seminar, participants engaged in the online U.S. Study Tour for nine days from February 14 to 25, 2022. On March 27, 2022, the final debriefing session was held online. The six-month program concluded with the participation of approximately 60 people, including the eight nursing students who participated in the program, as well as other interested individuals. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2020
Alumni Meet with Nurses in the United States Online
On November 18, 2020, 16 people, including program alumni, joined the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program Online Session. The event was also joined by three nurses from the Children’s National Health System, the implementer of the program’s U.S. Study Tour. Participants discussed the medical situation in Japan and the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More>>
First Alumni Reunion Held Online
On August 23, 2020, a reunion was held online for the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program, with 15 participants, including first through fifth year program alumni, joining the event. The online reunion made it possible for alumni from different program years to interact with one another. After sharing their updates, the alumni discussed their current situations and futures in small groups, reflecting on the impact of the program. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2019
- For the 2019 press release, click here
- To see 2019 participants, click here
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see program commemorative publication, click here (only available in Japanese )
1. Pre-Trip Seminar in Sendai
Eight nursing students, who are this year’s participants in the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program, took part in the Pre-Trip Seminars held at Tohoku University’s International Institute of Disaster Science International Research in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture from June 8 to 9 and July 6 to 7. This year, the scope of recruitment of participants was expanded to include nursing students and graduate students from all over Japan. As a result, a diverse group of eight students, from vocational school students to graduate school students, representing not only the Tohoku area, but also the Kanto area, were selected to participate in the fifth phase of the program.
- First Pre-Trip Sessions, click here
- Second Pre-Trip Sessions, click here
2. U.S. Study Tour
From August 4 to 16, 2019, eight nursing students from throughout Japan visited New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. through the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2019 U.S. Study Tour. During visit to three different cities, the participants learned about medical procedures and nursing in the U.S. and the role of healthcare in times of disaster and emergency, as well as the role of nurses. At the beginning of the Study Tour, the participants visited the affected areas of 9/11, which happened in 2001, and Hurricane Sandy, which occurred in 2012. Read More>>
3. Post-Trip Seminars
Almost one month after the U.S. trip, the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program Post-Trip Seminar took place from September 21 to 22, 2019 at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University in Sendai. The seminar had two aims: support participants as they revise their project plans and help them prepare for the Post-Trip Symposium. The students also had opportunities for discussion and to take part in a workshop. Read More>>
On December 1, 2019, the Post-Trip Symposium for the 5th year cohort of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program took place in Sendai City. This year, on behalf of the 5th year participants, three students shared an overview of the program and what they learned. Looking back over the whole program, Azumi Nagao from Yokohama City University Graduate School explained each program session and presented the achievements and opinions of the entire 5th year cohort. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2018
- For the 2018 press release, click here
- To see 2018 participants, click here
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see program commemorative publication, click here (only abailable in Japanese)
1. Pre-Trip Seminar in Sendai
Seven nursing students, who are this year’s participants in the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program, took part in the Pre-Trip Seminars held in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture from July 9 to 10 and July 21 to 22. The goal of the Pre-Trip Seminars is to bring together the participants and various shareholders prior to the U.S. Study Tour to be held in August, and to deepen the sense of purpose and learning of the program.The first Pre-Trip Seminar included an overview of the program and various assignments, and identified what the students want to gain and accomplish through the program. Read More>>
2. U.S. Study Tour
From August 5 to 16, 2018, seven nursing students originally from and currently in the Tohoku region visited New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. through the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2018 U.S. Study Tour. During visits to three different cities, the participants learned about medical procedures and nursing in the U.S. and the role of healthcare in times of disaster and emergency, as well as the role of nurses. They also visited places where past disasters have occurred, learning about people’s grief in times of disaster and gaining firsthand knowledge of recovery efforts that are still ongoing today. Read More>>
3. Post-Trip Seminars
From September 22 to 23, 2018, the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program Post-Trip Seminar took place at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University in Sendai. The Seminar’s theme was “giving knowledge back to their communities.” The goal of the event was to share and reexamine each of the projects the students have been planning since their U.S. Study Trip in August. Read More>>
On December 2, 2018, the Post-Trip Symposium for the 4th year cohort of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program took place in Sendai City. This year, the symposium’s attendees not only included students from participants’ home universities, but also other school officials and students from the Tohoku region, as well as employees from Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, the program’s generous donor. At the Post-Trip Symposium, the 4th year cohort shared what they learned throughout the seven-month program, as well as the message they hoped to convey. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2017
- For the 2017 press release, click here
- To see 2017 participants, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see program commemorative publication, click here
1. Pre-Trip Seminar in Sendai
From June 24 – 25 and July 8 – 9, the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program Pre-Trip Seminars took place in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture. Nine nursing students from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures participated. Now in its third year, the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program is a seven-month program that consists of Pre-Trip Seminars, a U.S. Study Tour, Post-Trip Seminars, and a Post-Trip Symposium. The Pre-Trip Seminars were conducted for a total of four days as part of preparations for the U.S. Study Tour scheduled in August. During the Seminars, the participants reflected on their experiences in the Great East Japan Earthquake, deepened their understanding of the disaster, and learned from experts in the field of disaster medicine, including nurses from the U.S. The participants also shared their experiences and enhanced their knowledge of disaster medicine. Read More>>
2. U.S. Study Tour
From August 5 to August 20, 2017, eight nursing students from Tohoku traveled to the U.S. to participate in a two-week U.S. Study Tour as part of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2017. The cohort was joined by two nursing students from Rutgers University in New Jersey. The students visited New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., and learned not only about disaster medicine and disaster nursing, but also about medical procedures in the U.S. and the types of medicine and care that are specific to life in the U.S. In addition, the students were able to directly interact with a multilingual and multiracial society that they rarely face in Japan. As a result, the students learned the importance of understanding and respecting other people’s cultures, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, as well as developing leadership with global perspectives not only as health providers, but also as human beings. Read More>>
3. Post-Trip Seminars
From September 23 to 24, 2017, the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training ProgramPost-Trip Seminar took place in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture. This seminar was organized to share and reexamine each of the activities that the students have been planning since their U.S. Study Trip. The seminar also helped them prepare for their final presentations in December. Read More>>
On December 3, 2017, the Post-Trip symposium of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program took place at the TKP Garden City Sendai Kotodai. All the participants, mentors, and staff arrived in Sendai on the previous day to prepare for the symposium.
Since the Post-Trip Seminar in September, the participants tested and implemented the activities they developed and overcame the difficulties of making the projects successful. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2016
- For the 2016 press release, click here
- To see 2016 participants, click here (only available in Japanese)
- To see 2016 participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
1. Pre-Trip Seminar
In Sendai from June 25 to 26, 2016, and in Tokyo from July 9 to 10, 2016, twelve nursing students from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefecture deepened their understanding of the realities of disaster medicine and disaster nursing in Japan to better prepare for the two-week U.S.-study tour in August. Read More>>
2. U.S. Study Tour
From August 6-21, 2016, twelve nursing students and four mentors from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and three mentors traveled to New York and Washington, D.C. for two weeks to meet with counterparts and leaders in the field of Disaster Nursing to learn about the field in the United States. Through the universal language of “nursing,” the Japanese and American students had meaningful communications that transcended the differences in language and culture, including their short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
In the United States, each participant talked about their experience from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and also listened to stories from those who experienced and supported the rescue and evacuation of 9.11 and Hurricane Sandy. Through these discussions, the participants learned the significance of sharing experiences from different perspectives and the role and importance of nurses in times of natural and man made disasters. Read More>>
3. Post-Trip Seminars
Sept 17 (Sat): Sendai Post-Trip Seminar Part I
Nov 5 (Sat): Sendai Post-Trip Seminar Part II [Tsunami Awareness Day]
Nov 27 (Sun): Sendai Post-Trip Presentation
On November 27, 2016, the post-trip presentations for the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program took place at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, where the 12 nursing students presented their findings and lessons learned from the program, as well as their future goals. Read More>>
TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2015
- For the 2015 press release, click here
- To see 2015 participants, click here
- To see 2015 participants blog, click here (only available in Japanese)
Pre-Trip Seminars
Two specialists from Washington, D.C. traveled to Tokyo and Sendai as part of the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program from June 10-15, 2015 in order to provide valuable lessons on the current situation of disaster response and disaster medicine for nursing students going to Washington D.C. and New York for the main component of this program in August 2015. Read More>>
Tokyo Seminar: U.S. Embassy Speaker Program
Sendai Seminar
The TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program held a special speaker program focused on disaster medicine on June 13 (Sat) between 1pm-3pm at the TKP Sendai Conference Center. The program welcomed two speakers: Dr. Tener Goodwin Veenema, who has extensive background preparing nurses for disaster response, and Krista D. Cato, who has experience developing and implementing a nursing response plan for pediatric Ebola. For more information, click here
U.S. Study Tour
From August 9-23, 2015, eight students and one mentor from Miyagi Prefecture traveled to New York and Washington, D.C. to meet with counterparts and leaders in the field of Disaster Nursing (specifically focused in areas of disaster medicine, community medicine, family medicine, maternity care, and mental health). More>>
Post-Trip Presentations and Symposium
Students and mentors presented their findings and lessons learned following their trip to the United States to family, friends, teachers and their colleagues in Sendai, Miyagi, and Kochi. Read More>>
- For photos from the Post-Trip Presentations and Symposium, click here
- For a flier from the Post-Trip Symposium in Sendai, click here (only available in Japanese)
- For a flier from the Post-Trip Symposium in Tokyo, click here (only available in Japanese)
