On July 25, 2025, the international goodwill football event Pacific Rim Bowl 2025 (PRB2025) will be held in Ashland, Oregon, USA. Three third-year students from Ritsumeikan Uji High School have been selected as members of Team Japan, and we are proud to announce that Kosei Kihara, a third-year student, has been appointed as Team Captain for this historic event.

A Longstanding Tradition of Friendship Across Borders

The Pacific Rim Bowl is a goodwill exchange event that began in 1988 when Ashland High School first visited Japan. For over 37 years, it has fostered lasting friendships through American football and cultural exchange between high school students in Japan and the United States.

Held every other year, the game brings together an all-star team of high school players from the Kansai region of Japan and a combined team of players from Ashland High School and Phoenix High School in Oregon, known as South Valley. Matches alternate between being hosted in Japan and the United States.

This year marks the 18th edition of the Pacific Rim Bowl, and it will be the 9th time that the Kansai team travels to the U.S. More than just a competition, the event includes homestay experiences and aims to cultivate true international friendship through shared experiences. At the heart of this initiative is the theme:
"International goodwill through sports and cultural exchange"
and
"Love and care for each other."

Three Ritsumeikan Uji Students Representing Japan

The following students from Ritsumeikan Uji have been selected to join Team Japan after a rigorous selection process including interviews, essays, and tryouts:

• ▶ Kosei Kihara (#24) – Captain / Defensive Back (DB)

• ▶ Shintaro Oya (#70) – Offensive Line (OL)

• ▶ Kaoru Ikehata (#77) – Defensive Line (DL)

All three students will represent Japan with strong determination and a deep sense of responsibility.

Growing Through Global Experience

By engaging with different cultures through sports, the students will gain a global perspective and further develop their character and leadership. This international exchange is a shining example of education transcending borders.

We wish Captain Kihara and his teammates the very best as they take on this remarkable opportunity on the world stage. Please join us in supporting their journey!