This year, applications will be open for the Tomodachi MetLife Women’s Leadership Program 2019-2020 for women in the Fukuoka area, as well as the Tokyo, Osaka and Naha areas. In 2013, the TOMODACHI initiative, in partnership with MetLife Japan, launched the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program (TMWLP) to develop the next generation of global female leaders by bringing together professional women and promising young female university students. Positions for both the mentors (professional women) and mentees (university age women) will be open to candidates from Fukuoka and the other regions.
For 10 months students will attend regular group sessions hosted by the U.S. Embassy that will provide training in leadership development, as well as a number of financial empowerment workshops by MetLife Japan. Students will also have the opportunity to visit Washington D.C and New York in the U.S. for a week long study trip.
Throughout the program students will be paired with female mid-career professionals as mentors to have one-on-one support and networking opportunities. Mentees and mentors will also be invited to attend special seminars with government officials and business leaders throughout the course of the program.
TMWLP Program Session Schedule Fukuoka 2019-2020:
• Sep. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 15, Dec. 6, Feb. 21
• United States Study Trip: Mar. 11~18, 2020 (Travel and lodging provided, trip dates subject to change)
• TMWLP Conference in Tokyo: May 23~24 (Both mentors and mentees are expected to attend the capstone TMWLP Annual Conference. Travel and lodging for Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha participants will be provided. Conference dates are subject to change.)
Application Process and Eligibility
The submission deadline for applications is Jun. 24, 2019.
Please submit your application via email to your local TMWLP email address.
Fukuoka area: KyushuTMWLP@usjapancouncil.org
For those wishing to apply as mentees: 2019-2020 TMWLP Mentee (Student) Application Form
For those to apply as mentors: 2019-2020 TMWLP Mentor (Professional) Application Form
Accepted participants will be notified on or by Aug. 21, 2019.
Eligibility for Student Participants:
• Must be a Japanese citizen or hold permanent residence status
• Must be a female first, second, or third year undergraduate student attending university
• Must have intermediate speaking, reading, and writing English language skills (the program will be conducted in English)
• Must have demonstrated an interest in playing a leadership role in the future
• Must be able to attend all leadership development sessions, the entire U.S. Trip, and the Annual Conference in Tokyo
Eligibility for Professional Participants:
• Must be a Japanese or U.S. citizen
• Must be a female mid-level professional (9+ years professional experience)
• Professionals with overseas educational/work experience are strongly encouraged to apply
• Must have intermediate English language ability (the program will be conducted in English)
• Open to all industries and sectors (including private, non-profit, government and academic)
• Committed to developing the next generation of female leaders by serving as a mentor, and be able to meet your mentee on a regular basis with your mentee outside of scheduled leadership development sessions
• Must be able to attend program sessions 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the Annual Conference in Tokyo
Best of luck to all applicants!
Source: Tomodachi Initiative, 5/27/2019
