TOMO-KIN Career Talks
The aim is to create a casual space for connection and inspiration for the TOMODACHI Generation, our next generation of leaders. We do this in two ways:
Our guest speakers take the spotlight for 20mins and provide a brief overview of their current role, share stories and lessons learned from their career journey, either in a presentation style (with or without slides) or in a fireside chat style, and provide advice for our alumni as they take the next step in their own careers. We then open it up for Q&A afterwards. Interpretations will not be provided, but the talk will be in their language of choice.
The event began as a response to a TOMODACHI Alumni Survey conducted in 2021 to connect with other alumni in a more casual setting. Therefore, begun during the pandemic, it started as a one-hour virtual session, divided into two sections with the first half being conducted in English and the other in Japanese to accommodate alumni interested in furthering their engagement and knowledge in both languages. Since July 2022, the event has been conducted in-person and will be held seasonally going forward.
Since 2022, we have combined this event with our Career Talks series and have invited many U.S.-Japan Council staff members, USJC members, and TOMODACHI supporters from our community to speak with our alumni about their career journeys.
Past TOMO-KIN Events
TOMO-KIN (June 2024)
On June 25, 2025, the TOMO-KIN x USJC Reverse Mentorship Session brought together emerging voices and seasoned leaders at the NEC Headquarters in Tokyo, in collaboration between the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) Japan Region members and alumni of the TOMODACHI Initiative programs. >Read more
TOMO-KIN summer (April 2025)
On April 3, 2025, ‘TOMO-KIN Career Talks’ was held at Google Japan to connect the TOMODACHI Alumni community across industries, regions, and interests. This time’s TOMO-KIN topic, “Reimagining Work: Global Voices, Bold Journeys, and Innovating Beyond Tradition” featured three Google employees in a panel discussion facilitated by Kaoru Utada, Director of Programs and Partnerships. >Read more
Shinnenkai (January 2025)
On January 20th, the U.S.-Japan Council and TOMODACHI Shinnenkai 2025 were held at Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park. Over 100 attendees participated, including TOMODACHI alumni, members of the USJC Japan chapter, their families, friends, and business leaders from various fields. Students also participated. >Read more
TOMO-KIN summer (June 2024)
On June 18, 2024, TOMO-KIN Summer 2024 was held at fabbit Marunouchi, and commenced with remarks from our Executive Director Mark Ikeno. With 25 people in attendance, they experienced a thoughtful presentation by our guest speaker, Mr. Goshi Yamaguchi, CEO, 54 Corporation. TOMODACHI Alumni enjoyed rounds of speed networking, delectable food from our specialty caterer, Minami Takemoto, who used tohoku and sustainable ingredients, and played games to end the night. >Read more
TOMO-KIN spring (March 2024)
On March 18, 2024, approximately 30 TOMODACHI alumni participated in the TOMO-KIN Spring 2024. Thanks to the generous offer of Appaman Co., Ltd., the number of participants has been increased and the event time has been extended from the previously 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, using the new venue, fabbit Marunouchi Conference Room, making it an even more powerful TOMO-KIN event.
The guest speaker was Mr. Masaharu Kohno, former Japan diplomat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kohno concluded his lecture with three powerful messages, “1) Get out of the office and meet various people, 2): Participate in various events and seminars. and 3) Don’t be afraid to take risks.” >Read more
TOMO-KIN fall (October 2023)
On October 5th, the TOMO-KIN Career Talks, a pivotal part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program, lit up WeWork Hibiya Fort Tower with the energy and aspirations of its attendees. Supported generously by Prudential, the event turned out to be an enlightening experience, particularly due to our esteemed guest speaker, Mr. Ryo Akima, President of Apple Japan Inc.
As the doors opened, the room quickly filled with anticipation. The event kicked off with warm welcomes and insightful opening remarks by USJC’s Mark Ikeno, setting the stage for Mr. Akima.Mr. Akima, who has been at the heart of Apple Japan for 21 years, shared his journey and the transformative products he helped introduce to the Japanese market. Yet, it was his inspirational words that left an indelible mark on everyone present. >Read more
TOMO-KIN Summer (May 2023)
On May 31, TOMO-KIN Summer 2023 took place in Tokyo, with over 30 TOMODACHI alumni and Watanabe Scholars in attendance. Mark Ikeno, the Executive Director at the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan), shared his experience and tips for building a global career during his Keynote. As the G7 Summit was held this month, the omusubi (rice balls) prepared were G7-themed for globally-minded TOMODACHI alumni.
TOMO-KIN Spring (March 2023)
On March 19th, over 30 TOMODACHI alumni and Watanabe Scholars gathered at a casual gathering called TOMO-KIN in Tokyo. Masataka Fukuda, Corporate Vice President at Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance, attended as a guest and made Welcome Remarks. He mentioned in his remarks that “as in the business world, sometimes continuing is more difficult than starting something new. This is because continuing is not simply a matter of doing the same thing but also of responding to changes in the environment in a timely and appropriate manner, creating new value as needed, and gaining recognition for that value from customers. I believe that the Alumni Program has continued to be valuable in this way because of the wonderful updates from people like you who have served as Regional Representatives in the past.”
Alumni from various programs and industries got to know each other through speed dating-style networking, a fun raffle, and some omusubis and light refreshments that signified U.S.-Japan relations. This TOMO-KIN was extra special as the 2023 Japan-based Regional Representatives were able to attend, bringing special treats from their regions across Japan. De’Jia Long-Hillie, the Regional Representative of the Kansai Region commented that she felt a greater sense of community by meeting lots of alumni and would like to create a similar gathering in her region as well.
Prudential has been generously supporting us since 2014, and this is the 10th year of their support of the TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program.
TOMO-KIN December 2022
TOMO-KIN July 2022On July 9, 2022, the very first hybrid TOMO-KIN was held at the WeWork Iceberg Building in the popular Harajuku Area of Tokyo. Nearly 20 alumni gathered who represented various industries like education, design, tech, nonprofit, and media; and were reconnected with alumni from other locations online. They shared their roles and goals at each organization and inspired one another to keep being an active leader in their respective fields. >Read more
TOMO-KIN June 2022
Session #13
Theme: Diversity in Media (English)
2022 First Half Reflection (Japanese)
Facilitator: Haruka Nakajima
TOMO-KIN May 2022
Session #12
Theme: Game Night
Facilitator: Honoka Kumazawa
TOMO-KIN April 2022
Session #11
Theme: Cherry Blossom Viewing and Environmental Conservation
Facilitator: Honoka Kumazawa
TOMO-KIN March 2022
Session #10
Theme: The Age of Adulthood Changing
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN February 2022
Session #9
Theme: Valentine’s Day Memories & Spring Break Goals
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN December 2021
Session #8
Theme: Looking back on 2021
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN November 2021
Session #7
Theme: Self-Care
Facilitator: Momoko Tajima
TOMO-KIN October 2021
Session #6
Theme: Your major and Career
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN September 2021
Session #5
Theme: Traveling
Facilitator: Momoko Tajima
TOMO-KIN Augst 2021
Session #4
Theme: Favorite Books
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN July 2021
Session #3
Theme: Cross-Cultural Experience
Facilitator: Momoko Tajima
TOMO-KIN June 2021
Session #2
Theme: News
Facilitator: Maho Suzuki
TOMO-KIN May 2021
Session #1
Theme: Let’s Talk in English
Facilitator: Kaoru Utada, Yukari Shishido
Past TOMODACHI Career Talks
Starting in August 2021, we have invited many U.S.-Japan Council staff members, USJC members, and TOMODACHI supporters from our community to speak with our alumni about their career journeys.
Speakers take the spotlight for 30mins and provide a brief overview of their current role, share stories and lessons learned from their career journey, either in a presentation style (with or without slides) or in a fireside chat style, and provide advice for our alumni as they take the next step in their own careers. We then open it up for Q&A for the remaining time. Interpretations will not be provided, but the event will be marketed in their language of choice.
The aim is for the TOMODACHI Generation – the next generation of leaders – to feel more informed about various careers and life lessons and gain the confidence to pursue their dreams. We also hope they will be able to understand the importance of giving back to the community and the people committed to this community.
Past Speakers
Session 11：August 16, 2022
Chieko Tashiro is the Marketing Communications Manager for U.S.-Japan Council – Japan. She talked about how she started her career as an editor and moved into marketing communications. She shared his experiences of personal character elements being transformed through the environment. She encouraged the young generation there will be learning from all experiences. Read More>>
Session 10：July 19, 2022
Sayummi Koizumi
Sayumi Koizumi is the PR Manager at Prudential Life Insurance. She is one of the youngest employees to be promoted to manager at the age of 28. She shared her tips to work with people with longer experiences and how she overcame challenges associated with diverse departments that she worked in previously. Read More>>
Session 9：June 21, 2022
Curtiss Takada Rooks is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies, Loyola Marymount University. In relation to Juneteenth, he shared how he built his career in the field of Asian and Asian American studies and his advice regarding identity, community building, and community engagement, especially for minorities. Read More>>
Session 8: May 17, 2022
Lauren Matsumoto is Membership Engagement and Regional Coordinator at U.S.-Japan Council. She shared her leadership journey at the University of California San Diego’s Nikkei Student Union and student leader for the San Diego Chapter of the Japanese American Citizen League, as well as how she utilizes her experiences in her current role at USJC. Read More>>
Session 7: April 19, 2022
Mio Yamamoto is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of World In You (formerly known as World In Tohoku). She shared how she founded her own organization, the challenges she faced and overcame, and the mission of WIY as well as the society she wishes to create through serving social entrepreneurs at WIY.
Session 6: February 9, 2022
Mary Lou Akai-Ferguson is the campaign manager for Michelle Wu, the first female mayor of the city of Boston. As the Japanese-Irish American and female political activist, she shared how she took part in an active role in politics and her mindset that successfully led her campaign to victory.
Session 5: January 20, 2022
Jill Kashiwagi
Jill Kashiwagi is the Program Manager for the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program. Prior to joining TOMODACHI, she worked for M Financial to address women’s issues in the finance industry and engaged in operations at Nike for 16 years. She shared her numerous leadership experiences and passion for women’s empowerment.
Session 4: November 21, 2021
Laura Winthrop Abbot was the Vice President of the U.S.-Japan Council. She shared how she founded the TOMODACHI Initiative as one of the founding members of the great disaster that struck the northern part of Japan in 2011. She also shared her personal story about being a working mother and encouraged younger generations to pursue their passion and dream.
Session 3: October 13, 2021
Lia Camargo is the Global Business Manager at Fermata Inc which provides femtech products and services. She is a graduate of Wellesley College in Massachusetts majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. She introduced how her business supports both women and men and the importance of sex education.
Session 2: September 8, 2021
Aya Hashimoto is the Program Director of TOMODACHI Initiative, implemented by the U.S.-Japan Council. She shared her previous work experience both in Japan and the U.S., particularly the unique experiences at the U.S. Force in Japan.
Session 1: August 11, 2021
Junko Tsuda is the Executive Director of the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan). She shared her various leadership experiences at a number of companies and organizations as well as various roles including communication, human resources, and fundraising. She also shared her takeaways from each experience and encouraged the younger alumni not to be afraid of failure as every experience provides us something to learn.
