Frankfurt Tomonkai

About the Frankfurt Tomonkai

Frankfurt Tomonkai was established in October 1993. Currently, we have 24 members, most of whom live in Frankfurt am Main, Hessen and some do in Rheinland-Pfalz or Baden-Württemberg. Our main activities include regular drinking parties, a joint New Year’s party with Mita-kai (Keio Alumni Association) and Sophia-kai (Sophia Alumni Association), and golf competitions against Mita-kai. Under the current COVID-19 related restrictions, we have not been able to gather but members exchange information and interact with each other online. Although we “meet and part” and the members “change from year to year” (from Waseda’s anthem), we enjoy such opportunities hoping that Tomonkai will develop further as an excellent place for Waseda alumni to feel free to get together in a foreign country. Please do feel free to get in touch with us if you have any plans to visit Frankfurt am Main.
Fumio Tadano（Graduated in 2001, School of Law）

The attractive points of Frankfurt

Frankfurt is Germany’s commercial and financial center. Unlike other German cities, the city center is lined with skyscrapers. The Main River, a tributary of the Rhine, flows through the city, and we can see traditional European-style buildings and architecture such as a cathedral and modern high-rise buildings at the same time from the bridges that cross the river. In addition to many modern buildings, Frankfurt also features lush greenery and well-maintained parks located throughout the city. On weekends, there are many people relax on blankets spread out on grassy lawns. Even wild rabbits sometimes appear in the park just a short walk from my office.

Frankfurt Airport is one of the largest hubs in Europe, with convenient access from Japan. On a clear day, you can see numerous contrails crisscrossing Frankfurt’s skies. Major tourist attractions are concentrated in the city center, so it’s also possible to do some sightseeing in your spare time when traveling here from Japan on business. Frankfurt is also well known as the city where Goethe was born. Visitors can also explore Goethe’s birthplace, which was completely reconstructed.
Natsuki Ii (Graduated in 2016 with a master’s degree, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies)

Message from the Chairperson

Five years have passed since I was assigned to work in Germany in June 2017. This was my third assignment in the country. In my 32-years of career, I have spent a total of 16 years abroad. As time goes by, I find myself reminiscing more and more about the days I spent with my many mates at Waseda, studying and talking together, and each phrase of Waseda’s anthem that carries its own meaning often flows through my mind. Don’t you ever wonder how nice it would be to have fellow companions with whom you could share the sights and times of your memories?

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Frankfurt Tomonkai, which currently has 24 members. Its compact and flat organization enables members to interact very casually and openly; therefore, it’s a very easygoing and flexible. I would like to promote and gradually develop the Tomonkai as a place where alumni gathered here by chance can casually interact with each other in their own stance and style and where all members (with expectations similar to mine) can relax and enjoy themselves.

I would hope and look forward that the COVID-19 regulations will soon be eased substantially and that we will be able to resume our activities again in the very near future.
Yoichi Takasago (Graduated in 1991, School of Political Science and Economics)

Messages from the Members

I joined the Frankfurt Tomonkai through an introduction from a senior colleague at work. Although it’s been five years since being posted here, due to work shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic, I have still not had the opportunity to attend any of the gatherings to meet other members in person. I’m hoping that I will be able to attend the next get-together.

I enjoy the occasional trips I take with my family to various parts of Europe, and I believe that the experience of living and experiencing the values and ways of thinking of the people of Germany and Europe and seeing Japan from a foreign perspective will prove to be a valuable asset for myself and my family.
Norio Nakamura (Graduated in 1992, School of Science and Engineering)

Three years have passed since I arrived in Frankfurt, my first overseas assignment. In my second year, just as I was finally settling in, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, and my lifestyle took a sudden turn with restricted mobility. Under such circumstances, I was impressed with the national character of the German people, who patiently adapted to this challenging situation. Finally, the restrictions have recently been eased, and now I look forward to interacting again with the members of the Frankfurt Tomonkai very soon to make up for the many lost opportunities.
Naotaka Mukoyama (Graduated in 1993, School of Science and Engineering, Graduated in 1995 with a master’s degree, Graduate School of Science and Engineering)

My first stay in Germany was as a one-year exchange student during my studies at Waseda University. After graduation, I worked for a German company in Tokyo for several years before moving to a Japanese company in Frankfurt. Since then, time has flown: this year marks my 17th year living in Germany. The appeal of the Frankfurt Tomonkai, of which I have been a member since moving to Germany, is its friendly atmosphere. Approximately ten people gather at our get-togethers, which is just the right size to be able to talk to everyone. On each occasion, I feel grateful for the valuable opportunity to chat with members of different professions and ages openly and frankly.
Yuka Kobayashi(Graduated in 2001, School of Human Sciences)

Covered in Waseda Gakuho, August 2022 Issue

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