High School Students from Cameroon and Mozambique visit TUFS

July 15, 2026

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, as part of the “Japan-Africa Youth Program” promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 54 people—including 25 high school students and two chaperones each from Cameroon and Mozambique—visited our university. First, Shinichi Takeuchi, Director of the African Studies Center, delivered a welcome address in which he highlighted that our university is the only institution in Japan where students can specialize in African studies at the undergraduate level. This was followed by an overview of the university provided by Rie Ishida, International Student Advisor. 

 Next, with the cooperation of Associate Professor Takanori Oishi, an exchange event was held between 22 students majoring in African Studies and the high school students. During the exchange, students majoring in African Studies introduced Japanese culture, followed by a joint activity where everyone decorated tanzaku strips in celebration of Tanabata, which fell on that day, helping to foster closer ties. In the subsequent country presentations, the high school students gave presentations on the history and culture of their respective countries and performed dances in a variety of traditional costumes, filling the venue with a lively and friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, after a student from the School of Japan Studies, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, introduced campus life, participants deepened their bonds through campus tours in small groups and a lunch at the cafeteria. Master’s students from Cameroon and TUFS International PR volunteer student also assisted with the event’s organization. It is hoped that this exchange will serve as a valuable first step toward building lasting friendly relations for the future.

　 (This text was translated by AI.)