The Japanese government on Jan. 16 named female pop duo Puffy as goodwill ambassadors to the United States. The Ki/oon Records-signed act will front an initiative to encourage Americans to visit Japan.

Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura were appointed by Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kazuo Kitagawa as part of the government's "Visit Japan Campaign" to increase the number of tourists choosing Japan as a destination.

Puffy is best known overseas through Cartoon Network's "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" animation program, which chronicles the duo's fictional adventures.