TOMODACHI

What TOMODACHI does

TOMODACHI is a public-private partnership established in 2011 by the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with the support of the Government of Japan, originally to invest in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Operationally managed by the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan Operations) from Tokyo with a staff of approximately 15, the initiative runs a portfolio of more than ten concurrent programs spanning women's empowerment, STEM research internships, entrepreneurship, agricultural exchange, cultural exchange, disability inclusion, disaster nursing, and alumni leadership development. Participants are primarily Japanese high school and undergraduate students (with selective inbound programs for American students), recruited through Japanese universities and partner U.S. institutions including Rice University, Texas A&M, UC Berkeley, and Boeing facilities in Seattle.

The underlying technology is deliberately minimal and non-proprietary: program delivery relies on Zoom for virtual sessions, Submittable and Google Forms for applications, email newsletters (monthly TOMODACHI Updates), and standard social media channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube). There is no core software product, platform, or technology stack — the asset is the programmatic IP, the partner relationships, and the curated participant experience.

TOMODACHI is funded entirely through charitable contributions from Japanese and American corporations and foundations, with flagship sponsors including SoftBank, Toyota, Fast Retailing (UNIQLO), Boeing Japan, Dow Chemical Japan, SMBC, MUFG, Prudential Foundation, and Honda. Participants bear some costs in select programs (notably the Women's Empowerment Program, where mentees cover airfare, insurance, lodging, meals, and training-related expenses), while mentors typically participate at no cost. Revenue, budget figures, and audited financials are not publicly disclosed. The initiative has built a TOMODACHI Generation alumni network exceeding 10,000 individuals as of December 2023, which functions as a long-tail engagement, fundraising, and mentorship pipeline for the organization.

Name

TOMODACHI

Legal name

TOMODACHI Initiative

Website

https://usjapantomodachi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TOMODACHI is a U.S.-Japan public-private partnership that runs leadership, cultural exchange, and mentorship programs for Japanese and American students. It operates more than ten concurrent programs funded by major corporate and foundation donors, serving a 10,000+ alumni network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Leadership Development and Cultural Exchange Programs

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Partnerships for Equity, Inclusion & Gender (EDADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gender Equality & Women’s Rights (BPADAGAF)

Keywords

• Leadership development programs
• Cultural exchange initiatives
• Women empowerment programs
• STEM research internships
• Entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Koto

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate and Foundation Donations: TOMODACHI is funded through charitable contributions from Japanese and U.S. corporations, foundations, and individuals. Major donors include SoftBank, Toyota, Fast Retailing, Boeing Japan, Dow Chemical Japan, and various financial institutions. The initiative operates as a non-profit public-private partnership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TOMODACHI is a public-private partnership initiative that operates a portfolio of leadership development, cultural exchange, women's empowerment, STEM research, entrepreneurship, and alumni engagement programs between Japan and the United States. It delivers these programs to young Japanese and American participants through partnerships with universities (Rice University, Texas A&M, UC Berkeley), corporate sponsors (SoftBank, Toyota, Boeing Japan, Dow Chemical Japan, SMBC, MUFG), and government supporters (U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Government of Japan). The initiative was established in 2011 following the Great East Japan Earthquake to invest in the next generation of U.S.-Japan leaders and currently serves an alumni network of over 10,000 individuals.

Product overview

TOMODACHI 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. It operates not as a technology product but as a portfolio of leadership and exchange programs designed to invest in the next generation of Japanese and American leaders. The initiative encompasses multiple distinct programs including the TOMODACHI Women's Empowerment Program, TOMODACHI-Dow Women's STEM Leadership and Research Program, TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar, TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative, TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0, TOMO-KIN Career Talks, and various cultural exchange, career mentoring, and disaster resilience programs. The programs range from undergraduate student leadership initiatives to alumni professional development networks, all focused on strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people exchange.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TOMODACHI Generation: Alumni network and next generation leadership program for young American and Japanese leaders who have participated in TOMODACHI programs
• TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy (GLA)
• TOMODACHI Alumni Leadership Program

Products and services

• TOMODACHI Women's Empowerment Program A leadership program designed to address the gender gap in Japanese society, open to Japanese undergraduate female university students from across Japan. Includes virtual leadership sessions, mentorship with mid-career professionals, and a U.S. training segment in New York.
• TOMODACHI-Dow Women's STEM Leadership and Research Program A five-week research internship at Rice University in Houston, Texas, for female undergraduate STEM students from Japan, designed to address the gender gap in STEM fields through hands-on laboratory research, career exploration, and cultural engagement.
• TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar A hands-on program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders by nurturing entrepreneurship and leadership skills, with support from Boeing Japan K.K. Includes hackathons, mentoring from seasoned professionals, and U.S. training.
• TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative An agricultural exchange initiative that brings together students from Japanese and U.S. universities to develop leadership skills centered on sustainability, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration in agriculture.
• TOMODACHI Generation Global Leadership Academy 2.0 A comprehensive alumni leadership program for TOMODACHI program alumni that connects, engages, and nurtures leadership skills among young people from Japan and America committed to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.
• Next Generation Summit (TOMODACHI Summit) An annual summit bringing together TOMODACHI alumni to develop leadership skills and network with professionals across sectors.
• TOMO-KIN Career Talks Career-focused program providing opportunities for TOMODACHI alumni to engage with professionals and explore career pathways.
• TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework A framework connecting TOMODACHI alumni across different regions to maintain engagement and foster continued leadership development.
• TOMODACHI SMBC Shaka-kachi Leadership Program A leadership program launched in strategic partnership with SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation), designed to develop future leaders with a focus on social impact.
• TOMODACHI MUFG Sustainable Entrepreneurship Program A program focused on sustainable entrepreneurship, supporting the development of next-generation entrepreneurs with mentorship and training.
• TOMODACHI Summer SoftBank Leadership Program A summer leadership program for high school and university students from Tohoku region, focusing on English study sessions and leadership development at UC Berkeley.
• TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities A program focused on developing storytelling skills for youth with disabilities, helping participants communicate their experiences effectively to society.
• TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program A cultural exchange program that sends high school students from disaster-affected Tohoku Region to the United States for a two-week program focusing on music, tradition, and culture, including participation in the Rose Parade.
• TOMODACHI High School Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima A multi-step career mentoring program providing support to high school women in Fukushima prefecture through sessions with students who have studied abroad and professional women, helping develop future leaders.
• TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program A disaster nursing training program designed to build capacity for disaster response and nursing care in affected communities.
• TOMODACHI Toshizo Watanabe Leadership Program A leadership program accepting applications from the next generation of leaders, focusing on developing skills for young professionals.
• TOMODACHI Kibou for Maui Program A program focused on learning about Tohoku's recovery through the lens of sustainability, culture, business, and leadership.
• TOMODACHI KAKEHASHI Inouye Scholars Program A scholarship program honoring Senator Daniel K. Inouye, providing opportunities for U.S. college students to visit Japan.
• Next Generation Launchpad A program under the Alumni Leadership Program focused on providing practical skills and opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 TOMODACHI Generation alumni as of December 2023
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor and major.

• Dow Chemical Japan LimitedflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Primary funder of TOMODACHI-Dow Women's STEM Leadership and Research Program. Ten female STEM students from Japan participate in five-week internships at Rice University in Houston, Texas. Program addresses gender gap in STEM fields.
• Boeing Japan K.K.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Sponsor of TOMODACHI Boeing Entrepreneurship Seminar. The program cultivates entrepreneurship and global leadership among Japanese students through U.S. training at Boeing facilities in Seattle.
• SMBC (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Strategic partner for TOMODACHI SMBC Shaka-kachi Leadership Program, launched in June 2025.
• U.S.-Japan CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary organizational partner for TOMODACHI Initiative. The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) is a non-profit organization that works to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people exchange. USJC provides operational support, staff, and governance for TOMODACHI programs.
• U.S. Embassy TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial U.S. government partner in the TOMODACHI public-private partnership. The Embassy supports diplomatic engagement and provides access to U.S. government resources and facilities.
• Government of JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Japanese government partner providing support and endorsement for TOMODACHI Initiative programs.
• Rice UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for TOMODACHI-Dow Women's STEM Leadership and Research Program. Implements five-week research internships for female STEM students from Japan at Houston campus.
• Texas A&M UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative. Joint program with universities in Niigata Prefecture focuses on sustainable agriculture and leadership.
• Satake USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate visit site during TOMODACHI Tanaka Sangyo Agricultural Exchange Initiative. Provides students exposure to rice milling technology and leadership roles of Japanese companies in global markets.
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of TOMODACHI Honda Cultural Exchange Program sending high school students from Tohoku to participate in Rose Parade in Los Angeles and experience American culture through music.
• Duskin AINOWA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Duskin Leadership Training Program for Persons with Disabilities. Alumni like Daisuke Kasayanagi have participated in TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities program.
• DPI Japan (Japan Assembly of Disabled Peoples' International)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisability-led organization that collaborated with TOMODACHI Story Jam for Youth with Disabilities program. Alumni with disabilities participate in storytelling initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• AIESEC: A global youth-run organization running leadership and cross-cultural exchange programs for university students in 100+ countries; comparable in audience (university-aged emerging leaders), exchange-based programming, and alumni-network approach, though with a much broader geographic remit.
• Fulbright Program: A flagship bilateral exchange program sending students and emerging leaders between the U.S. and partner countries; closely comparable to TOMODACHI in target audience (graduate students/young professionals), program structure (sponsored international exchange), and alumni-network model.
• JET Programme: Japan's largest bilateral exchange program placing foreign nationals (often Americans) in Japanese schools and governments; comparable to TOMODACHI as a public-private, government-anchored U.S.-Japan exchange that develops cross-cultural competence in young leaders.
• Kizuna Across Cultures: A nonprofit founded after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake to foster U.S.-Japan youth exchange, language education, and disaster-recovery storytelling; very directly comparable as a post-3/11 U.S.-Japan youth exchange with strong overlap in mission and audience.
• Mansfield Foundation: A U.S.-Japan bilateral exchange organization running the Mansfield Fellowship and other leadership programs for U.S. and Japanese professionals; highly comparable in target audience (mid-career leaders) and government/corporate-supported exchange model.

Others

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators: A U.S.-based membership organization supporting international education and exchange professionals; comparable as an ecosystem player in international student exchange but is an industry association rather than a direct program operator.

Regional players

• Peace Boat: A Japan-based NGO running global educational voyages and cross-cultural exchange programs; comparable in mission (peace/leadership education via experiential exchange) and Japanese operational base, though with broader global programming.

Broad incumbents

• Japan Foundation: Japan's primary government-affiliated cultural exchange organization, comparable in mission (international exchange, cultural diplomacy, educational programs) and operating scale, though it is a government entity covering global programming beyond the U.S.-Japan bilateral focus.
• Japan Society (New York): Long-standing U.S.-based nonprofit offering cultural, educational, and leadership programming related to U.S.-Japan relations; comparable in audience (young professionals, students) and content areas (language, arts, leadership) but with a broader arts/cultural mandate.
• U.S.-Japan Council: The parent organizational partner of TOMODACHI; both share governance, staff, and mission around strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people exchange, with USJC operating a broader set of leadership and council programs beyond the TOMODACHI exchange portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Tomodachi
• YouTubeyoutube.com/USJapanTOMODACHI
• Facebookfacebook.com/USJapanTOMODACHI
• Instagraminstagram.com/tomodachi_initiative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tomodachi-initiative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about TOMODACHI