TOMODACHI Women’s Empowerment Program 2025
- Omran Aburayya
- May 30
- 3 min read
If you're a female undergraduate student in Japan with aspirations to become a global leader, or a seasoned professional eager to mentor the next generation, the TOMODACHI Women’s Empowerment Program 2025 offers a transformative six-month journey. This hybrid leadership initiative combines virtual mentorship with immersive U.S. training, aiming to bridge Japan's gender gap by empowering women to lead with confidence and resilience.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Japan and the United States (New York)
Host Institution: TOMODACHI Initiative (U.S.-Japan Council)
Study Level: Undergraduate (1st–4th year students)
Target Group: Japanese female university students and female mid-career professionals
Fields of Focus: Leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, mentorship
Value & Coverage: Comprehensive coverage for mentees; partial support for mentors
Award Duration: 6 months (September 2025 – February 2026)
Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM (JST)
Start Date: September 2025
Eligible To: Japanese female undergraduates and female professionals with 9+ years of experience
📚TOMODACHI Program Overview
The TOMODACHI Women’s Empowerment Program is designed to cultivate leadership skills among female university students in Japan by pairing them with experienced female professionals. The program addresses Japan's significant gender gap, as highlighted by its 118th ranking out of 146 countries in the 2024 World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index.
🧩 Key Components
Virtual Leadership Sessions: Four sessions from October 2025 to January 2026, focusing on:
Deepening Self-awareness
Communicating Effectively
Cultivating Community
Leading with Resilience
Lifting as You Climb
Mentorship: Regular one-on-one sessions between mentees and mentors to foster personal and professional growth.
In-Person Training:
Tokyo: Orientation and preparatory sessions.
New York: Intensive training from February 10–18, 2026, including workshops, networking events, and cultural exchange activities.
Final Presentation: Participants will present their learnings and experiences in Tokyo on February 19 or 20, 2026.
🎁 Program Benefits
For Mentees (Students):
Covered by the Program:
Round-trip international airfare
Standard travel insurance
Training fees
Travel expenses during U.S. training (lodging, meals, activities)
Lodging during domestic training
Participant's Responsibility:
Transportation to/from Tokyo meeting points
Meals during domestic training
Passport acquisition and ESTA application fees
Additional travel insurance (if desired)
Communication costs for online sessions
Personal expenses
Doctor’s note costs (if applicable)
Cancellation fees if withdrawing for personal reasons
For Mentors (Professionals):
Covered by the Program:
Training fees for virtual leadership sessions
Participant's Responsibility:
Communication costs for virtual sessions
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Mentees (Students):
Japanese citizens or permanent residents
Female undergraduate students (1st–4th year) attending universities in Japan
Proficient in English (speaking, reading, writing)
Available to attend all program components
Demonstrated interest in leadership and women's empowerment
Mentors (Professionals):
Female professionals with 9+ years of experience
Experience studying or working abroad is encouraged
Open to all industries and sectors
Committed to mentoring and supporting young women leaders
Available to attend all virtual leadership sessions
Fluent in spoken English
📝 Application Procedure
Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM (JST)
Application Links:
Mentees: Apply Here
Mentors: Apply Here
Selection Process:
Mentees:
Online interviews on July 18 and 19, 2025 (for shortlisted candidates)
Final selection results announced during the week of August 4, 2025
Mentors:
No interviews required; however, the program office may contact applicants directly
Final selection results announced during the week of August 4, 2025
Contact Information:
For inquiries, please email: tomodachiwe@usjapancouncil.org
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK