TOMODACHI Summer 2012 BEYOND Tomorrow U.S. Program- Reconstruction and Planning August 12, 2012

Under the partnership with TOMODACHI Initiative, BEYOND Tomorrow will undertake “TOMODACHISummer 2012 BEYOND Tomorrow U.S. Program - Reconstruction and Planning –“ in summer 2012. The
two-week program in New Orleans, Boston, New York and Washington D.C. aims to provide students in Tohoku
opportunities to learn from the U.S. experience in post-disaster reconstruction and planning and also act asTohoku ambassadors to share their experiences with American people. Students were selected through rigorous
selection and nine students with a proven record of leadership activities and strong aspirations to become future
leaders from Tohoku will participate in the program.

1.

Program Objectives
aTo provide opportunities for Japanese students afflicted by the Great East Japan earthquake andtsunami to draw lessons from the efforts following 9.11 and Hurricane Katrina experiences for Tohoku
reconstructions by visiting related organizations and experts.

b

To have the students act as ambassadors of Tohoku to American people and develop a model forU.S-Japan leadership exchange in the context of Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami

2.

Participants
10 students who were residents of Iwate, Miyagi or Fukushima at the time of the Great East Japan
earthquake and tsunami, and have finished high school in March 2012 to proceed to higher education. All
participants were selected through a rigorous selection process.

3.

4.

Destinations
August 7 – 10New Orleans, Louisiana

August 10 – 16

New York, New York

August 16 – 19

Boston, Massachusetts

August 19 – 21

Washington DC

Program-Orientation

The orientation program took place over a weekend at the foot of Mount Fuji for June 29 – July 1, 2011. With
guest lecturers from Ministry of Land Use and Planning, the students received hands-on training on basics ofurban planning and reconstruction policies, and based on their own experience, identified issues to beaddressed in reconstruction efforts in Tohoku. Divided in two teams, each team developed a presentation on1

what they would like to learn in the U.S..
(Post-event report: http://beyond-tomorrow.org/en/program/past-program/tomodachi2012/)-Program in the U.S.

1. Learning from post
postost-Katrina efforts and postpost-9.11 responseNew Orleans
Ashe Cultural Arts Center

During post-hurricane Katrina recovery, Ashe has acted as a community
based center for the activities of ReBuild New Orleans, and has taken aleadership role in implementing the strategy to repopulate the Central City
neighborhood with its former residents and new like-minded neighbors.
They also took advantage of arts and cultural activities to help the healing
process of the disaster survivors.

Foundation for Louisiana

Foundation for Louisiana played a leading role in post-Katrina efforts
to revitalize the local economy by providing grants to entrepreneurs,
supporting small business and implementing leadership development
programs. To date, the Foundation has provided emergency relief to morethan 30,000 residents; helped 8,130 families into safe, affordable housing;assisted 3,012 small businesses to re-open; and engaged thousands of residents
in neighborhood planning and leadership development.

Market Umbrella

As an organization that focuses on the development, social aspect, andnutrition of the New Orleans region, Market Umbrella manages a farmers
market. Its most important activity is the weekly “Crescent City Farmers’Market,” where local farmers directly sell their homegrown fruits andvegetables.

Mary Queen of Vietnam

After Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans’ population shrunk by half. TheCommunity Development

population of the Vietnamese community decreased as well, but under theCorporation

leadership of Father Nguyen of Mary Queen of Vietnam Community
Development Corporation, many Vietnamese quickly returned home to startrebuilding. The students will hear from the members of the community how
they led rebuilding the fishing industry in NOLA.

University of New Orleans

Visit university academics to discuss issues of rebuilding NewOrleans.

Volunteer activities for projects ofVisit farms in New Orleans that are introducing innovative

rebuilding farms in New Orleans

approaches for rebuilding the region’s agriculture

New York
4 World Trade Center

A tour by Mr. Osamu Sassa, a Japanese architect who led the2construction project of the 4 World Trade Center, the fourth-tallest
skyscraper on the WTC site.

Human Rights Watch

A session to examine the issues of discrimination and hate crimes
against Arabs after 9.11.

Interview with Mr. Shawn

An interview session with the expert in post-disaster response andEscofferyreconstruction planning. The students will present their hypothesis
and ask for feedback and advice.

New York City Economic

An interview session with economic experts who led the efforts toDevelopment Corporation

prevent an economic recession to draw lessons on keys to economic
revitalization in Tohoku disaster communities.

New York Fire Department

The Chief who was in charge of the World Trade Center Tower 2during the 9/11 crisis will speak about the importance ofcommunication during disasters and new technology that have been
researched and recommended for disaster preparedness in New York.

BostonShun Kanda, Senior Lecturer,

An interview session with the expert in post-disaster response andDepartment of Architecture,reconstruction planning. The students will present their hypothesis

Massachusetts Institute ofand ask for feedback and advice.

TechnologyWashington DC
Breakfast with Arlington FireA breakfast session with the Arlington Fire Department Chief who

Department

coordinated the 9/11 Pentagon situation. He will talk about theimportance of coordination by various agencies and entities (federal
government, local emergency and rescue teams, and civilians).

2. From Tohoku to America – Stories of survivors Tokyo
U.S. Embassy

The students will visit the TOMODACHI Team at the U.S. Embassy
to present their goals of the trip prior to the departure for the U.S..

New Orleans
Reception by the NOLA JapanThe students will meet with those who helped Tohoku after theQuake Fundearthquake and tsunami to express their gratitude and also tell them
about the situation in Tohoku and recovery plans they would like toachieve.

New York3

Dinner with Japanese American

A BBQ dinner in Harlem with Japanese American leaders who areleadersactive in a wide range of fields in New York where the students will
speak about the situation in Tohoku and recovery plans they would
like to achieve.

Visit to the U.S. Japan

Visit to the U.S. Japan Foundation to learn about their activities forFoundation and dinner with theforging U.S.-Japan relations. A dinner session with the U.S. Japan

U.S. Japan Leadership program

Leadership program participants at Scholastic, the world'sparticipants at Scholastic

largest educational publisher, where the students will speak about thesituation in Tohoku and recovery plans they would like to achieve.

BostonDinner with Japanese Disaster

The students will meet with those who helped Tohoku after theRelief Fund Boston

earthquake and tsunami to express their gratitude and also tell them
about the situation in Tohoku and recovery plans they would like toachieve.

Washington DC
Dinner with the U.S. Japan

A dinner session with the U.S. Japan Council members who areCouncil members

working to forge a strong relationship between the U.S. and Japan.
The students will present the situation in Tohoku and recovery plans
they would like to achieve.

3. Dialogue with Leaders - Learning from individuals active in various fields in the U.S. New YorkStephen Globus

A dinner session with Mr. Globus, an important sponsor of Japanesecultural events in New York City with emphasis on performing arts,dance, fine arts, chanoyu, and crafts.

Shin Odake

To realize his dream of ‘making UNIQLO a number one

Fast Retailing, Inc. Groupcasual wear apparel in the USA’, Mr. Odake led the series ofSenior Vice President, UNIQLO

successful opening of Global Flagship stores, SOHO store inUSA CEO

2006, 5th Avenue store and 34th Street store in 2011. Thestudents will receive a tour from him for the global flagshipstore on Fifth Avenue.

Motoatsu Sakurai

A dialogue session with Mr. Sakurai, who is leading the country’sPresident, Japan Societylargest non-profit organization in the area of U.S.-Japan cultural
exchange after working in a global company and serving as theAmbassador and Consul General of Japan in New York.

Yutaka Takiura

A dinner session with Mr. Takiura, an architect who tackles various4

Architect

global issues through an architectural approach.

Fumi Tosu

A lunch session with Co-President of Table for Two USA, at a Table for

Co-President, Table for Two USA

Two member restaurant in Manhattan. Mr. Tosu is currently
spearheading the global initiative to address hunger and obesity at
the same time in the U.S..

BostonLawrence Fish

A dialogue with Mr. and Mrs. Fish on leadership and social

formerly Chairman and CEO ofcontribution based on their experience of establishing the Fish Family

Citizens Financial Group

Foundation and supporting Tohoku reconstruction activities.

Atsuko Toko Fish
Trustee, Fish Family Foundation
Washington DC
Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador ofThe students will make a courtesy visit to the Ambassador andJapan to the United Statespresent their learning from visiting different cities in the U.S. andtheir views on the meaning of U.S.-Japan exchange.

4. Cultural Exchange - Interaction with American students as grassroots ambassadors Boston
Brunch with Japanese students at

A brunch session with Japanese students who are studying at

HarvardHarvard and other top schools in Boston where the students will
think about their future through infomral discussion.

Camp Harbor View

A visit to a summer camp organized by the Boston Boys & Girls Clubat the Camp Harbor View and enjoy outdoor activities and a barbequedinner with American students.

Columbia University

A tour for Columbia University by Mr. Fred Katayama, a Reuter
journalist

Japan SocietyInteraction and lunch with American high school students who areparticipants of Japan Society’s performing arts programs. Also thestudents will enjoy a musical performance by Alex York, a bilingual
musician.

-Closing reception

A closing reception will be organized with the cooperation of the U.S. Japan Council on August 20, the last
day of the trip, in Washington DC.

5

Venue Host: Mr. Neil Horikoshi, President and Executive Director, Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship

FundSpecial Guest: Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan to the United States

The nine students will present their learning in the United States in front of various leaders from various areas
including the Japanese government, U.S. government, companies, think tanks, non-profit organizations, internationalorganizations.

65.

About TOMODACHIIn the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, the United States military and Japan
Self-Defense Forces worked together successfully in Operation Tomodachi to provide immediatehumanitarian relief to the Tohoku region. Building upon this cooperation and spirit of friendship, the UnitedStates and Japan have launched the TOMODACHI Initiative, a partnership not just between the twogovernments, but also between both societies, including the business community, academics, civic groups,
and sports and entertainment figures. TOMODACHI is led by the United States Government andthe U.S.-Japan Council, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, and is supported by the Government of Japan,
corporations, organizations and individuals from the United States and Japan.

6.

Supporters

This program is sponsored by the below organizations.

U.S. – Japan Council

Japanese Disaster Relief Fund Boston

KPMG Japan

This program is organized with the cooperation of:Japan Society7

(Participants)
Minori EndoAt the Faculty of Business Administration at Ishinomaki Senshu University following graduation fromIshinomakikita High School
Minori lost her father and her house to the disaster, and though feeling deep despair she wanted forlots of people to be informed about the disaster, and took advantage of her experience as being theeditor of a photography department to capture some of the images of the destruction left by thetsunami, sending them out through the media. As someone who experienced the disaster, Minori ismotivated to communicate about the “now” of the disaster areas, and in the future she would like toengage in activities that enable her to continue to etch each moment of life into her heart without
letting the current “now” get left behind in the past. Through the U.S. program, she would like todevelop perspective on Tohoku reconstruction by examining post-disaster reconstructions andplanning that took place outside Japan.

Ayaka Ogawa
At Leelanau School in Michigan, U.S.A from August 2012. Graduated from Otsuchi High School.
Ayaka lost her parents, her grandparents and her older sister to the tsunami, and now lives in
temporary housing with extended family members. As only she was saved and the rest of her family
lost, Ayaka would like to try to live life to the fullest and has resolved to fulfill her long-standing
interest in studying abroad. Following the disaster, Ayaka also had chance to experience a short-term
home stay in Australia. Ayaka feels a great deal of gratitude for the opportunities she has beenafforded since the disaster, and so in the future she would like to become someone who also helps
others to achieve their hopes. During the U.S. program, she would like to communicate with 9.11 andhurricane victims and would like to know what they are feeling after years of disasters.

Sakae Onodera
At the School of Commerce at Waseda University following graduation from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen
High School
As a result of the disaster Sakae lost her home in Kesennuma. Although the disaster was dreadful
Sakae would like to be able to see it as a positive turning point in her own life, and believes that alongwith her peers who experienced the disaster they should explore things they can do to help, and takepositive action in the world in the spirit of “social contribution”. In the future, her dream is to work for
an international organization dealing with international development and nation building, as well asinternational business. During the visit in the U.S., She would like to learn how the U.S. overcame
natural disasters and terrorisms, and made improvements in their communities.
8Tomohiro Kamisawa
At the Faculty of Agriculture at Tohoku University following graduation from Morioka First HighSchoolTomohiro decided to study agriculture, as “agriculture” applies not only to domestic issues in Japanbut is important for determining the shape of assistance for solving global problems such as poverty.
Rather than just keeping the experience of the disaster inside, Tomohiro would like to make big strides
in his personal development along with his friends, while proactively engaging in communication. He
hopes to become a person who can give hope to people living in the disaster areas. To this end,Tomohiro would like to study hard at university while participating in BEYOND Tomorrow programs
and striving towards his dreams. The trip to the U.S., this time being his first time abroad, he would
like to interact with victims of disasters draw lessons of supporting the vulnerable and replicate thelearning for Tohoku and the world in the future.

Anna Kumagai
At the Faculty of Project Design at Miyagi University following graduation from Izumi Tateyama HighSchoolAnna was impressed by the local people’s spirits to help each other during the disaster. Wanting togive back to the local people, she joined a student organization called “East Japan Challenging &Chance” in which she attempts to help local communities with business. Through this program, shewould like to think about what she can do for Tohoku, and learn about successes and failures of thereconstruction activities in the U.S. She believes that the experience in the U.S. will provide her with aframework to plan reconstruction and urban development that are most appropriate for Tohoku.

Ayaka Goto
At the Department of Childcare at Miyagi Seishin Junior College following graduation fromIshinomaki Commercial High School
Ayaka was in Ishinomaki when the earthquake and tsunami happened. Though her life was saved, shelost her house only 165 feet from the sea and many of her friends as a result of the tsunami. After thedisaster, she had chances to experience homestay in Hawaii and Canada where she saw that the world
still praying for Japan and her recovery from the devastation. In the future, she would like to engage inchildcare in the developing world such as Africa, and also would like to communicate with people inthose countries about the disaster and the importance of disaster prevention. In the U.S., she would
like to learn about how the U.S. helped people’s psychological recovery as well as how the cities
addressed physical reconstruction activities.

9Tsubasa Sugeno
At the Faculty of International Studies at Utsunomiya University following graduation fromFukushima Technical High School
Tsubasa realized the importance of international cooperation after many countries provided support
for Japan after the disaster, and decided that he would like to contribute to global society. In order tolearn about how to forge a society in which people not just in Japan but from around the world whoare suffering due to poverty and conflict can have a reassuring future, Tsubasa decided to study
International Relations. While at university Tsubasa also hopes to study abroad, and broaden hishorizons. As a victim of the disaster, he would also like to communicate with the rest of the worldabout the terror of natural disasters and the strength of Tohoku. Through the U.S. program, he would
like to take the first step to become an international leader with a creative approach to reconstruction
effort and appreciation for diversity.

Masahide Chiba
At the Faculty of Engineering at Utsunomiya University after graduation from Ofunato High School
Masahide was in Ofunato when the disaster struck. As a result of the tsunami, he lost his mother,grandmother and home, and is now living in rented accommodation with his father and two younger
brothers. Masahide believes that it is his mission to plan towns that are safe from natural disasters andcontribute to the future recovery because he survived the devastating disaster when so many lives
were lost. Masahide would like to set up a company that carries out projects related with the disasterrecovery, and would like to participate in the planning of towns along the Sanriku Coast which areresilient to damage from natural disasters. During the visit to the U.S., he would like examine how thedisaster communities in the U.S. recovered from devastation.

Hiromi Meguro
At the Faculty of Community Service at Tohoku University of Community Service and Science
following graduation from Soma Higashi High School
Hiromi was given a lift in the car of a passing stranger while running for her life from the rapidly
encroaching tsunami, and it is thanks to this that she barely managed to escape unharmed. Her house
was however destroyed, and her father lost his job. Having given up on her dream of attending auniversity specializing in music and having also considered going straight into employment,
eventually Hiromi decided on a new goal of using this scholarship to go on to study town planningand local revitalization in order to contribute to the resources for Tohoku’s recovery. During the stay in
the U.S., she would like to learn how the multi-cultural country has integrated diverse population
upon reconstruction and urban planning.
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