Title
Special Recognition - 45 Year Anniversary Delegation Visit to Sister City Kato, Japan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the 45-year anniversary of the Olympia–Kato Sister City relationship and the recent delegation visit to Kato, Japan.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recognize the 45-year anniversary of the Olympia–Kato Sister City relationship and the recent delegation visit to Kato, Japan
Staff Contact:
Jay Burney, City Manager, 360.753.8740
Presenter(s):
Jay Burney, City Manager
Background and Analysis:
The City of Olympia established its Sister City relationship with the Japanese town of Yashiro on April 22, 1981. In 2006, Yashiro merged with the neighboring towns of Takino and Tojo to form Kato City, and the relationship with Olympia continued.
For 45 years, the Olympia–Kato Sister City relationship has provided a framework for international cooperation, mutual understanding, and engagement between the two communities. The relationship connects the cities through their municipal leadership and creates opportunities to exchange perspectives on local government, community priorities, and shared challenges.
The Olympia Kato Sister City Association (OKSCA) has helped sustain the relationship by supporting youth visits, cultural activities, and connections among residents of both communities. Ongoing student delegations and Student Ambassador exchanges are an important part of the Sister City relationship. They provide young people in Olympia and Kato with opportunities to experience one another’s communities, learn across cultures, and build lasting friendships. These exchanges complement the cities’ government-to-government relationship by helping develop the next generation of people who understand and value the partnership.
The 2026 delegation visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the relationship between the City of Olympia and Kato City. The deleg...
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