Japan-United States of America Relations
Courtesy Call on Chief Cabinet Secretary KIHARA by Students Participating in the "Think of Okinawa's Future in the United States" (TOFU) Program
March 18, 2026
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On March 18, commencing at 5:10 pm, for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KIHARA Minoru, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, received a courtesy call from the students participating in the FY2025 "Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States" (TOFU) program. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows:
- At the outset, Chief Cabinet Secretary KIHARA stated that this year’s TOFU program is quite timely as Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan is visiting the United States from tonight and will have a meeting with President Trump tomorrow for the first time as Prime Minister. He also encouraged the TOFU students to learn a lot about the Japan-U.S. relations, security issues, and Japan’s role in the international community through discussions and site visits in the U.S. He expressed hope that the TOFU students share their experiences with a wide range of people in Okinawa after their return to Japan.
- On behalf of the participants, Mr. TERUYA Yuki (second-year student at Okinawa Prefectural Futenma High School) stated how excited he is about his visit to the U.S. Then the TOFU students and Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara had a fruitful discussion where the students expressed their candid views on Okinawa’s further development 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 (e.g., high school and college students) with an opportunity to learn about the United States and to have a first-hand experience about Japan’s role in the international community.
- Since its inception in FY2017, a total of 170 students have taken part in the program.
- This time, a group of 30 students will visit Tokyo, Washington D.C., and New York from March 18 to March 25, 2026.