January 31, 2020 -- Applications are being accepted starting today from students interested in participating in the third TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program, scheduled during the period of August 15 through 29, 2020.

Honda has been supporting activities of the TOMODACHI Initiative* led by the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan). The current TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program was established in 2018, building on the success of 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 global corporate slogan, “The Power of Dreams,” the TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership 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 2020 program, participants will spend approximately two weeks in the United States mainly in Torrance, California and Marysville, Ohio, the locations of headquarters in the United States and key production operations of Honda, respectively. During the stay, participants will be exposed to American society and culture through various activities including visits to Honda facilities, interaction with local high school students and homestay, which will enhance the deepening of mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S.

“Before participating in this program, I could not visualize the path I would take to realize my dreams. Now, I want to draft a solid future plan that will guide me all the way to the realization of my dreams and try hard on a global scale without being pessimistic or discouraged along the way.” (Tochigi prefecture / 2nd grade in high school / female)

Applications for participating in the 2020 program will be accepted as follows:

• 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 2020.
• Number of Participants: Approximately 20 students
• Key Destinations: Torrance, California and Marysville, Ohio
• Program Dates:
  
  1. Pre-departure orientation: June 13, 2020 to June 14, 2020 (1 night, 2 days in Tokyo)
  2. Program dates in the United States: August 17, 2020 to August 29, 2020 (Participants will meet at a hotel near Haneda Airport on August 15 and leave for the United States on August 17, 2020.)
  3. Follow-up Seminar : Mid-February 2021 (tentative)
• Application Deadline:
  -Online application due on March 21, 2020
  -Mailed application must be postmarked on or before March 19, 2020
• Participant Selection: Notification will be mailed before May 13, 2020
• Application Methods:
  -Apply Online: https://www.laurasian.org/honda
  -Apply by Mail: Download the application form the website https://www.laurasian.org/honda and mail to:
  TOMODACHI Honda Global Leadership Program 2020
  Laurasian Institution
  5-5-17 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064

The TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from 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://www.tomodachi.org/