TOMODACHI’s Friends Honored
On July 24, staff and leaders at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Government of Japan were welcomed to a networking reception in Tokyo hosted by U.S.-Japan Council Executive Vice President Laura Winthrop Abbot. In her opening remarks, Laura thanked the Embassy and Government of Japan representatives for their continued and strong partnership in the TOMODACHI Initiative. The reception provided an opportunity for staff at all levels to get to know each other better, and discuss ideas for deepening the partnership.
Since 2011, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and the Government of Japan (mainly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), have worked closely with the U.S.-Japan Council to provide life-changing opportunities to young people through the TOMODACHI Initiative.
Many thanks to the many American diplomats, local U.S. Embassy staff, MOFA diplomats and MEXT officials for your continued support and collaboration!
TOMODACHI News
American Delegates of the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program Visit Fukushima and Tokyo
Ten young American professionals of diverse gender and career backgrounds from across the United States journeyed to Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo from July 6 to 13 as participants of this year’s TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program, now in its seventh year. This program advocates bicultural exchange and provides participants with unique access to leaders in the U.S.-Japan arena. In September, Japanese delegates will visit Silicon Valley and Washington, DC.
Click here to read more on the TOMODACHI website about this year’s American delegates’ trip to Japan. The delegation included two USJC members, and many program alumni later become members.
TOMODACHI ELP News
The following infographic is part of a year-long series by participants of the 2018 TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders Program (ELP).
Reflection from Amy Rubinger (ELP ’18)
Click here or on the image above to see Amy’s infographic about her ELP experience. She highlights how ELP helped shape her career path, her top four memories from the 2018 USJC Annual Conference, and how she’s stayed connected with her fellow ELP alumni.
Please note that this infographic is best viewed on a desktop computer.
Announcements
2019 Annual Conference Early Bird Rates Extended Until August 18!
U.S.-Japan Council 2019 Annual Conference
Bold Ideas, Bolder Leadership: The Next Stage of U.S.-Japan Relations
Loews Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, California
November 4-5, 2019
Registration is open for the 2019 USJC Annual Conference in Los Angeles! Held in Hollywood, the center of global entertainment, this conference will highlight diverse leadership styles that transform bold ideas into reality. We will also celebrate USJC’s 10th anniversary, and offer leadership training under USJC’s new Leadership Institute.
We also encourage you to enjoy the Japan Cuts Hollywood Film Festival, presented by the Japan America Society of Southern California from November 1 to 3, prior to the conference.
Don’t miss our lineup of unique speakers and timely topics. Early bird rates have been extended until August 18!
Speakers Include:
Kazuo Hirai
Senior Advisor,
Sony Corporation
John V. Roos
Partner,
Geodesic Capital
Takeshi Uchiyamada
Chairman of the
Board of Directors,
Toyota Motor
Corporation
Amy Webb
Founder & CEO,
Future Today
Institute
Taro Kono
(invited)
Minister for
Foreign Affairs,
Government of
Japan
Early bird rates available until August 18!
Member News
Mike Bosack Named Deputy Secretary of UNCMAC
Congratulations to Mike Bosack (ELP ’15) on his new role as Deputy Secretary of the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC)! Mike was previously the Deputy Chief of Government Relations at Headquarters, U.S. Forces Japan, where his team drafted and implemented the 2015 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. He also worked as a Mansfield Fellow in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and National Diet. Prior to his tours in Japan, Mike served as a Maintenance Officer in support of Search and Rescue and, later, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations. Click here to read about his family’s history of service (his father, Mike Bosack, is a Council Leader), and how he looks forward to contributing to lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
Kaz Maniwa to Receive Foreign Minister’s Commendation
Congratulations to USJC Senior Vice President Kaz Maniwa, who the Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco recently named as a recipient of this year’s Foreign Minister’s Commendation! Mr. Maniwa has a long history of involvement in the Japanese American community, including as a founding member of the JCYC, former Board member and president of Kimochi INC and a member of the Board of Directors of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California for 45 years. Mr. Maniwa participated in the first class of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) Program, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Through his work at USJC, he enhances exchanges between Japan and the United States, and has led over 10 delegations to Japan, including the 2019 JALD class and the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program (please see above).
Upcoming Events
U.S.-Japan Council Emerging Leaders Program Day at Angel Stadium
Where: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, CA)
Join the Emerging Leaders Program alumni as they host a special Japanese Heritage Day at Angel Stadium! They will be cheering on two-way Japanese Baseball star Shohei Ohtani as he takes on the Chicago White Sox. Each ticket guarantees a Shohei Ohtani bobblehead! Click here or on the image above to purchase tickets.
Opportunities
Public Relations Manager (Washington, DC)
We seek an experienced communications professional who is committed to furthering the mission of the organization through various communications platforms, including enhancing the visibility of the organization and its work through traditional and social media. The ideal candidate will have significant experience with public relations and social media, and will be dedicated to cultivating relationships with members of the media, Council members and partners, and other stakeholders. The candidate will serve as a key member of the team to implement the organization’s strategic communications plan.
Click here for more information about the position.
Intern (Washington, DC)
The intern will provide support for Programs and Communications on a part-time or full-time basis. Duties will consist of program and event coordination and support, website/social media support, organization of and attendance at special events, outreach and communication, writing and translation (if able). This is an excellent internship for those hoping to gain experience in the programmatic, digital and strategic marketing and/or nonprofit fields. USJC’s internship program offers outstanding opportunities for college students, graduate students and graduates who are interested in U.S.-Japan relations.
Click here for more information about the position.
Intern (Tokyo, Japan)
The TOMODACHI Initiative is seeking qualified interns on a part-time or full-time basis. This internship program offers outstanding opportunities for college students, graduate students and graduates who are interested in U.S.-Japan relations. Duties generally consist of program and event coordination and support, website/social media support, organization and attendance at special events, student outreach and communication, writing and translation (as able). Duties may be tailored to the intern’s interests. Interns will work with individuals from the U.S.-Japan Council, the U.S. Embassy and other key TOMODACHI team members.
Click here for more information about the position.
Program Manager for the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (Tokyo, Japan)
The Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) offers an executive leadership development program that transforms Japanese women into action-oriented leaders with the confidence to lead, skills and knowledge to manage, and plans to make social change in Japan. JWLI has been expanding–first with the Champion of Change Japan Award in 2017, and starting this June, with the JWLI Bootcamp. In order to continue to empower women in Japan, JWLI is seeking a Program Manager based in Tokyo, Japan.
Please click here to see the job description.