Press Releases
Courtesy Call on State Minister Masahisa Sato by the participants of the 1st “Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States” (TOFU) program
1. On March 14, commencing at 12:00 for approximately 20 minutes, State Minister Masahisa Sato received a courtesy call from the 20 participants of the 1st “Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States” (TOFU) program departing for the United States on the same day.
2. State Minister Sato said that he often received completely new impressions when he visited himself various countries over the world and advised the participants to bring back their fresh surprise which they would have through encounters and communication with local people. Furthermore, State Minister Sato encouraged the participants to learn many things in the United States with a spirit that Okinawa’s future would rest upon them.
3. In response, the participants said that, while feeling the United States is close to them through their experiences in Okinawa, they were very motivated to see what the United States are with their own eyes and experiences, and to deepen exchanges with local people.
4. Afterwards, the participants visited the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo for another courtesy call on H.E. Mr.William Bill Hagerty, U.S. Ambassador, and departed for the United States.
1st “Think of Okinawa’s Future in the United States”(TOFU) program
Participants: 20 high school and university level students from Okinawa
Program:
| March 14 | ： | Courtesy calls on State Minister Masahisa Sato and U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Bill Hagerty, departure |
| March 15 | ： | Visits to White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, Embassy of Japan in the United States [Washington D.C.] |
| March 16 | ： | Visits to White House, Department of State, Department of Defense, Embassy of Japan in the United States [Washington D.C.] |
| March 17 | ： | Exchange with local students [Washington D.C.] |
| March 18 | ： | Exchange with local students [New York] |
| March 19 | ： | Courtesy calls on former U.S. Ambassador Kennedy and Ambassador Bessho, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, Exchange of view with a Japanese staff in the United Nations, exchange with local students [New York] |
| March 21 | ： | March 21- arrival in Tokyo |