Japan-United States of America Relations
Courtesy Call on Chief Cabinet Secretary HAYASHI by Students Participating in the "Think of Okinawa's Future in the United States" (TOFU) Program
March 19, 2025
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On March 19th, commencing at 4:20 pm, for approximately 25 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Chief Cabinet Secretary, received a courtesy call from the students participating in the 2024 "Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States" (TOFU) program. The summary of the courtesy call is as follows:
- At the outset, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi stated that with the successful Japan-U.S. summit meeting in February, and with global attention focused on the United States, the TOFU program's visit to the U.S. was particularly timely. He mentioned that during his visit to Okinawa last weekend, he felt high expectations for the participants, who will carry Okinawa’s future on their shoulders, and encouraged the students to learn as much as possible during their time in the U.S. He also expressed hope that upon their return, the students would share their experiences with the people in Okinawa.
- On behalf of the participants, Mr. YASUNAGA Keiichi (second-year student at Okinawa Prefectural Kaiho High School) expressed his enthusiasm for the visit to the U.S., which was followed by a fruitful exchange of views with Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi. During the discussion, the students expressed their candid thoughts on Okinawa’s further development and globalization, as well as their expectations for the visit to Washington, D.C., and New York.
(Reference) "Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States" (TOFU) Program
- The TOFU program aims to provide Okinawa’s younger generation with the opportunity to learn about the United States as it is and to directly experience Japan’s role in the international community. The program sends Okinawan high school and university students to the U.S.
- Since its inception in 2017, a total of six cohorts consisting of 140 participants have taken part in the program.
- In 2024, a group of 30 students will visit Tokyo, Washington D.C., and New York from March 19 to March 26, 2024.