Mishima Delegation Arrives for Sister Cities' 20th Anniversary

A high-powered delegation from Mishima, Japan arrives in New Plymouth tomorrow (Tuesday) to mark the 20th anniversary of the cities’ Sister City relationship.

The delegation includes Mayor Takeshi Toyooka and the heads of the Mishima City Council, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Mishima International Relations Association (MIRA), the Mishima Tourism Association and Nihon University.

“Thirty years ago community groups started making contact between New Plymouth and Mishima, and 10 years after that the two cities decided to formalise these community links by signing Sister City agreements,” says Mayor Harry Duynhoven.

“It is wonderful to be able to mark this milestone by meeting with our Mishima counterparts again and celebrate the continued exchanges we have, particularly in education.

“I am pleased to extend a welcoming hand especially following the terrible earthquakes which have occurred in both our countries this year. The responses of New Zealand and Japan Sister Cities following these tragic events are an example of how countries can be brought together, in good times and bad, by connections between people and communities.”

The delegation’s schedule includes a powhiri followed by a Mayoral reception at Puke Ariki.

On Wednesday the delegation will be taken on a tour of the district, including a visit to Francis Douglas Memorial College, the Japanese Tea House, Yarrow Stadium, Te Rewa Rewa Bridge and the Tikorangi Supershed.

They will also visit the torii gate in Pukekura Park, which was built to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sister City link, and meet with the Friends of Mishima.

Coming to the district are:

• Takeshi Toyooka, Mayor.
• Hiromasa Usui, Chairperson of City Council.
• Hiromi Usui.
• Toshiyuki Suwabe, President of the Mishima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Tomoo Asahi, President of MIRA.
• Shigeru Komatsu, Representative Director of The Mishima Tourism Association.
• Sachiko Komatsu.
• Yoshio Tanaka, Secretary For Administration Nihon University.
• Shouhachi Suzuki, Secretary for Administration Mishima Senior and Junior High School.
• Yukiko Komatsu, Former President of MIRA.
• Mineko Shoji.
• Toshiyuki Hiraide, Vice President of MIRA.
• Mayuki Mochizuki, Vice Chairperson of General Affair Committee of MIRA.
• Yasuno Watanabe, Chief Editor of MIRA newsletter.
• Kenji Hakamada, First-Class Registered Architect.
• Kumiko Hakamada.
• Yasuo Yagishi, Yagishi Ltd (an iron recycling company).
• Tomoko Suzuki, Officer of the Mishima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Minoru Kouno, Manager of Secretarial Division.
• Kazuo Uematsu, Manager of Foreign Affairs Division.
• Toshihiko Iwazaki, Assistant of Information Technology Policy Division.
• Keiko Hoshino, Travel Agent.