January 24, 2019 -- Honda has been supporting activities of the TOMODACHI Initiative* led by the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) and, starting today, applications are being accepted from students interested in participating in the second annual TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program.
TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program was established in 2018, building on the TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program conducted from 2014 to 2016, where participants were selected from among high school students from the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Developed based on Honda’s corporate slogan, “The Power of Dreams,” this program provides experiential learning opportunities, including pre- and post-travel sessions, where participating Japanese students, the next-generation of leaders, will be exposed to people who have been taking on challenges driven by their dreams. In addition, they will experience various corporate activities so that participants can grow as next-generation leaders who have a global viewpoint and an ability to realize their own dreams. With an expanded target that includes high school students and 5-year junior technical college (“Kosen”) students from any part of Japan, this program will be conducted over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020.
For the 2019 program, participants will spend approximately two weeks in the U.S. mainly in Torrance, California and Marysville, Ohio, the location of the U.S. headquarters and production operations of Honda, respectively. During the stay, participants will be exposed to U.S. society and culture through various activities including interaction with local high school students and homestay, which will enhance the deepening of mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S.
TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program 2018
<Comments from 2018 participants>
“I experienced fun, joy and meeting with new people, which I would never have been able to experience if I stayed in Japan. People working at the office and factory have their own dreams. I would like to work in this kind of environment.”
(Hyogo prefecture/ 2nd grade in high school/female)
“The entire trip was a series of challenges for me. As a rest, I was able to develop confidence and courage that help me not to be afraid of making mistakes.”
(Okinawa prefecture/ 2nd grade in high school/male)
“It helped fortify my resolve to realize my current dream and do the work which will make other people happy. I have a new dream now, and I was able to grow as a person.”
(Shizuoka prefecture/ 1st grade in high school/ female)
Applications for participating in the 2019 program will be accepted as follows:
■TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program Information
- Qualification Requirements: Students of Japanese nationality who will be enrolled in the first through third grades of a high school or 5-year technical junior college in Japan as of the departure date in August 2019.
- Number of Participants: Approximately 20 students
- Key Destinations: Torrance, California and Marysville, Ohio
- Program Dates:
- Pre-departure Orientation: June 15, 2019 to June 16, 2019 (1 night, 2 days in Tokyo)
- Program Period: August 19, 2019 to August 31, 2019 (Participants will meet at a hotel near Narita International Airport on August 17 and leave for the United States on August 19, 2019.)
- Application Deadline:
- Online application due on March 22, 2019
- Mailed application must be postmarked on or before March 20, 2019 - Participant Selection: Notification will be mailed before May 7, 2019 (plan)
- Application Methods:
- Apply Online: https://www.laurasian.org/honda
- Apply by Mail: Download the application form the website http://www.laurasian.org/honda and mail to:
TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program
Laurasian Institution
5-5-17 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064
- *About the TOMODACHI Initiative
The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and supported by the Government of Japan. Born out of support for Japan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, TOMODACHI invests in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders through educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs. The Initiative seeks to foster a “TOMODACHI Generation” of young American and Japanese leaders who are committed to and engaged in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, appreciate each other’s countries and cultures, and possess the global skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive in a more cooperative, prosperous, and secure world.
TOMODACHI Initiative website: http://usjapantomodachi.org/
For media inquiries, please contact:
- TOMODACHI Initiative: 03-4510-3400
- Honda, Corporate Communication Division, Corporate PR Dept.: 03-5412-1512
Honda Website: https://www.honda.co.jp/philanthropy/tomodachi/