Japan-United States of America Relations

“TOFU: Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States” program started in FY2017 to provide an opportunity for high school and university students from Okinawa to have the first-hand experience of visiting the U.S. and to think about the role that Japan plays in the international community. This program also intends to promote mutual understanding between the two countries. To date, a total of 200 Okinawan students participated in the program.
The program gives an opportunity for Okinawan students to cultivate an international perspective through visits to Tokyo, Washington, D.C., and New York as well as exchanges with key government officials. After visiting the U.S., students develop action plans and share those with people in Okinawa.

• The 8th TOFU Program (FY2025) (Japanese)
• The 8th TOFU Program Final Presentation Session (April 26, 2026) (Japanese)
• The 7th TOFU Program (FY2024) (Japanese)
• The 7th TOFU Program Final Presentation Session (April 28, 2025) (Japanese)
• The 6th TOFU Program (FY2023) (Japanese)
• The 6th TOFU Program Final Presentation Session (May 13, 2024) (Japanese)
• The 5th TOFU Program (FY2022) (Japanese)
• The 4th TOFU Program (Online) (FY2021) (Japanese)
• The 3rd TOFU Program (Tokyo and Online) (FY2020) (Japanese)
• The 2nd TOFU Program (FY2018)
  • Outcome of the Visit to Washington, D.C.: (Japanese)
  • Outcome of the Visit to New York: (Japanese)
• The 1st TOFU Program (FY2017)
  • Outcome of the Visit to Washington, D.C.: (Japanese)
  • Outcome of the Visit to New York: (Japanese)

In order to enhance the value of the TOFU program, follow-up activities are organized. For example, Final Presentation Sessions are held where students present action plans based on their program experiences.
In addition, from FY2024, 'Japan-U.S. Exchange Student Ambassadors' have been appointed. Those Student Ambassadors work together with MOFA to come up with measures for further promoting Japan-U.S. exchanges.
Furthermore, the logo of the TOFU program was chosen by students and announced in April 2026.