Los Angeles, November 5, 2019
At the U.S.-Japan Council’s Annual Conference, the TOMODACHI Initiative and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo announced the launch of the TOMODACHI-U.S. Embassy Go for Gold Leadership Program. This innovative program will provide Japanese university students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the field of sports management through a study tour in the United States and through leadership training. It was established to complement the ongoing “Go for Gold” initiative, the Embassy’s school outreach campaign pairing school visits with excitement for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Michael Turner, Sports and Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, stated, “The first cohort of Go for Gold exchange students will have a lot to learn from (the LA Olympics). And they will be part of the next generation of leaders who will use sports to keep (the U.S.-Japan) friendship strong into the future. By investing in a sports exchange program, we are opening new opportunities to deepen that friendship.”
Irene Hirano Inouye, President of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), commented, “We are so grateful for this enhanced partnership with the U.S. Embassy Tokyo. Given the growing interest in sports in Japan, we see great potential for this new program. We are excited about the opportunities this new program will provide, allowing USJC and the U.S. Embassy, through the TOMODACHI Initiative, to continue investing in next generation leaders and the future of the U.S.-Japan relationship.”