by Larry Sacks

 

Several Sister City relationships exist between Santa Clara and other cities throughout the world.  In 1986, a Sister City relationship was formed with Izumo, Japan.  Fast forward 22 years and the relationship between the two cities is as strong as ever.  A group of seven middle school students from Izumo arrived, along with Izumo City Hall worker, Mariko Kurosaki and most notably, Tom Kuwabara, President of the International Exchange Association of Izumo.  Mr. Kuwabara has a special place in the history of the Sister City relationship, as he was the person responsible for getting the Sister City relationship established. 

 

According to Mr. Kuwabara, when the idea of a Sister City was first suggested, it was unusual, but the Mayor of Izumo at the time liked the idea and as the saying goes, the rest is history.  But Santa Clara wasn’t the only city in the running as a Sister City.  At the time, Palo Alto and Oxnard were also being considered.  At the time, Izumo was looking for a city that had a similar size, population and economy.  Santa Clara fit the profile best as both cities were similar in population; had agricultural backgrounds; have noted high school bands; established universities nearby and are home to many large companies.  At the time, Santa Clara and Izumo were similar size, but Izumo grew considerably three years ago when it merged with the cities of Hirata, Taisho, Taki, Koiyo and Sada.  This trip marks his 30th visit to Santa Clara.  The number might seem high until it’s taken into account that he’s also led every group of Middle School exchange students here too.  The High School Exchange students, given their older age, aren’t escorted but are met at the airport by their host families.  As both cities have grown, so too have the number of their Sister Cities, with Santa Clara now having two and Izumo four.  “But,” according to Mr. Kuwabara, “the relationship with Santa Clara is the strongest.” 

 

Also visiting with Mr. Kuwabara is Mariko Kurosaki.  Ms. Kurosaki works for the Izumo City government and said the group had a whirlwind visit so far.  Friday night gave them a chance to relax, eat some good and new types of foods and meet some new friends. But the previous days had seen the contingent in San Francisco for a day as well as a Yosemite bus tour.

 

To signify the importance of Friday night’s reception, Takanori Okuda, the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco was also present.  He was in attendance for the Consul General, Yasumasa Nagamine.  Mr. Okuda has spent part of the past two years overseeing the Sister Cities relationships between California and Japan.  According to Mr. Okuda, “Of the approximately 440 Sister Cities relationships between the United States and Japan, California has the lion’s share with 96.  The longest Sister City relationship to date is between Riverside and Sendai which was started in 1957.”  Furthermore, according to Mr. Okuda, all Sister Cities receive a letter asking the embassy be told of events and Friday night was the first the Consulate General has attended.   “We recognized the importance of the Sister Cities relationship and are happy to assist.” 

 

Additionally, Doris Morse, the State Coordinator for Northern California, Sister Cities International, came to the reception.  Ms. Morse has been active since the early 1990s when she was with the Millbrae City Council.  A self-described Cheerleader, after leaving office, Ms. Morse got involved to essentially do whatever needed to be done – to help groups raise funds, help get and keep people involved, basically whatever is needed.  But Sister Cities is more than just students as Hospitals and Libraries exchange staff too.  “But the Santa Clara Unified School District is the best of all worlds” in helping with the exchange students.  Finally, John Figueria, who was instrumental in developing the Sister City relationship on the Santa Clara side, was also present. 

 

Friday night’s event was a true example of an international exchange in all senses of the world.  In addition to meeting their host families and eating lots of delicious foods prepared for the event, the attendees were also treated to S’Mores.  Yes, the treat renowned for campfire food was the universal hit with Mr. Kuwabara, Mr. Okuda, Ms. Kurosaki and the exchange students themselves – Ippei, Hiroko, Hinako, Yui, Saya, Mai and Yuri.  Overseeing the cooking of the S’Mores were students who will be traveling to Izumo in July, but Estefan, a Wilcox student showed the finer points in the making of S’Mores.  That much was evident as he showed Mr. Kuwabara the fine art of roasting a pair of marshmallows for his second S’More of the evening. 

 

President Dwight Eisenhower established the Sister City program in 1956.  The purpose of the program was to promote friendship and understanding between the United States and other countries around the world.  That goal has been enhanced as today, Sister Cities International states their goal is to “Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation - one individual, one community at a time.”