Title
Special Recognition - Olympia-Kato Sister City Association Student Visit to Kato, Japan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Recognize the Olympia-Kato Sister City Association and their recent student delegation visit to Kato Japan, Olympia’s Sister City.
Report
Issue:
Whether to recognize the Olympia-Kato Sister City Association Student Visit to Kato, Japan.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Executive Assistant, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Allen Miller, Olympia-Kato Sister City Association Representative
Background and Analysis:
A Sister City Friendship Agreement between the City of Olympia and the Town of Yashiro, Japan in April 1981. Kato city was founded on March 20, 2006 from the merger of the former towns of Yashiro, Takino, and Tojo. Yashiro became one of the “districts” in the new city of Kato.
The first official delegation of 12 from Yashiro (now Kato) visited Olympia in 1981, led by Mayor Ishiko and his wife. This was the start of annual visits, with Japan visiting Olympia in odd years and Olympia going to Japan in even years.
In 1987, the exchange program was expanded to include high school students. Each year, a group of 15-20 students spend about two weeks in the sister city, staying in homes, visiting schools and local sites. These high school students pay for their trip, as do the adult chaperones who accompany them.
From June 25 - July 4, 15 Olympia area high school students along with two adult chaperones visited Kato. The students and a representative of the Olympia-Kato Sister City Association will share their experience during their recent visit and present tokens of friendship shared by Kato Mayor Masayoshi Yasuda.
Attachments:
None