From March 25 to April 3, 2025, 15 selected next generation of leaders from high schools in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture, participated in the U.S. training portion of the TOMODACHI Amway Japan Foundation Tohoku Future Leader Program 2025.
This is a seven-month leadership development program designed to emphasize the local charms of Tohoku and it is a part of the Amway Japan Foundation’s Tohoku reconstruction project called “Remember HOPE.”
The 10-day experience in New York City and Washington D.C. taught students with different angles of how to rediscover the beauty of the beloved community and to revitalize the city. The students were immersed in American culture by staying with American families and meeting with local students. All of the students got their passports for this trip and traveled to the U.S. for the first time and the program provided transformative experiences to all of them thanks to various organizations the group visited and everyone who was involved with the program, including the USJC leaders and members in the areas.
As part of the program, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, there was a panel discussion titled “From Japan to the World: Storytelling, Leadership, Regional Revitalization, and to the Future”. Panelists included USJC members, Kazuyo Kato (JCIE USA) and Shiori Okazaki (Shiori Communications, LLC), and Nishant Annu, who has lived in Kesennuma during his JET program and other professional opportunities. The discussion focused on how to share the charms of Tohoku and Japan through storytelling, the role of tourism in regional revitalization, and the skills needed to lead in a global society. Students were encouraged to think about their own roles in shaping the future of their communities and connecting Japan with the world.
Natsume Nakajima, a program participant, reflected on how the panel discussion reshaped her understanding of Japan’s image from an outside perspective. She was impressed by the message that being outspoken, which is often valued in American culture, is not the only form of leadership. She realized the importance of noticing what is happening around us and valuing quiet leadership as well. Inspired by the panelists, Natsume shared her hope to step beyond Japan’s cultural framework, experience the world, and share the Japanese cultural strengths globally. She also hopes to revisit her impressions of both Japan and the U.S. with fresh eyes, challenging her assumptions and expanding her point of view.
中島夏芽
外国から見た日本の姿についてのお話が印象に残りました。外国（アメリカ）から見ると日本は消極的で謙虚なイメージが強いですが、Nishantさんが言っていたように、アメリカのように沢山積極的に発言することだけが正義ではなく、今目の前で起きていることに気づくことが重要だと学ぶことができました。ただ、ずっと日本での感覚に縛られることなく、世界へと出て日本の良さを伝えたり、知らないことを知ることで新たな価値観が生まれ、違う考え方もあるのだと気づくことができるため、世界について自分で体験してみることこそが鍵になってくると思いました。これを踏まえて渡米研修をまた改めて振り返り、「ここは日本の方が良いな」と思ったことが狭い視野での感覚ではなかったかどうか、「ここはアメリカには敵わないな」と思ったことが本当にそうなのかどうか、という両方の面での考察をしていきたいです。
To celebrate the conclusion of the U.S. portion of the program, the reception was organized at Amway Townhouse in D.C. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The reception was attended by Ms. Ryoko Nakanishi, First Secretary from the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C., USJC Board Chair Emeritus Susan Morita (Arnold & Porter), DC Regional Vice Chair Yuka Hayashi (the Asia Group), TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Representative of the Washington D.C. Vicinity Region Janrose Samson (TOMODACHI Dallas-Sendai Young Ambassadors Program ‘16) and other USJC members, TOMODACHI alumni, host families and those who were involved with the program.
Susan Morita gave welcome remarks stating as follows. “We are inspired by you, students. We hope this is one stop for you on what will be an exciting and rewarding journey. We look forward to seeing your leadership and contributions to the revitalization of Kesennuma, the broader Tohoku region and the larger world. We hope tonight’s gathering serves as a moment of reflection, celebration, and inspiration as we continue to foster the next generation of leaders in Japan and beyond.”
Reflecting on the reception, participant Rio Sato stated that Susan Morita’s remarks reminded her of the importance of staying connected to her hometown community in Kesennuma while also thinking globally. She was inspired to consider how local revitalization efforts can be rooted in meaningful dialogue with residents, even as she continues to expand her perspective to Tohoku, Japan, and the world. Through the program, she also recognized the essential role of English as a tool for communication and connection and hopes to contribute to the relationship between Japan, the U.S. and beyond.
佐藤里桜
Susanさんのスピーチやお話したことから、気仙沼を活性化するためには外のことばかりに目を向けるのではなく、地元の人達とも向き合っていくことが大切なことだと再認識することができました。一方で、気仙沼、東北地方から日本、そして世界全体にも視野を広げて、貢献していきたいと思いました。そのためには、会話がとても重要であり、そのツールとして英語が必要不可欠だと渡米研修を通じて感じることができました。また、今回のプログラムの機会を提供してくださったことやSusanさんをはじめ、いろいろな方々が私達に次世代のリーダーとして期待してくださり、応援してくださることをとてもうれしく思い、大変感謝しています。それと同時に、その期待に応えられるように気仙沼、東北地方を世界からも注目してもらえるぐらい活性化させるアイデアや世界とつながるきっかけになるようなアイデアを事後研修で考えていきたいと思いました。そして、将来は様々な形で日本とアメリカ、世界をつなぐことに貢献したいと強く思いました。