No.47 Friendship City Agreement with Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture and Nozawa Onsen Village, Nagano Prefecture

(Inagi Newsletter, October 15, 2015 issue)

In November 1991, the city established a Sister City partnership with Memanbetsu Town in Hokkaido (now Ozora Town due to its merger with Higashimokoto Village). Starting with students from Elementary and Junior High Schools, the exchange has expanded to agricultural organizations and cultural arts groups. In November 1995, a mutual support agreement during disasters was signed. In the event of a major disaster, food support can be expected from Ozora Town, which has a high self-sufficiency rate, and such exchanges have contributed to mutual safety and security.
Recently, with the increase in the city's population and the diversification of businesses, interactions with other organizations have also increased.
On August 18 of this year, we concluded a Friendship City agreement with Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. Details were provided in the September 1, 2015 issue of the public relations newsletter, but the support began in March 2011, immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake. In June of the same year, we signed a mutual support agreement for disaster situations, and we are currently dispatching staff engaged in recovery projects. We hope that this agreement will lead to exchanges through sports and culture.

By the way, the exchange began in November 2005 when a partnership was established regarding "Gather, Inagi Kids! Nozawa Onsen School." This allows the children of Inagi to experience a period away from their parents, and we have been conducting experiential learning activities every year, such as a moving classroom for 6th graders and a ski class for 1st-year junior high school students.
In July 2008, a mutual support agreement for disaster response was concluded, and there was an opportunity for the Mayor of Inagi City and the fire brigade leader to participate in the disaster prevention training.
Last year, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of experiential learning and at the request of the village chief, I had the opportunity to visit the children's camp site for the first time. It was proposed that we expand the exchange not only for the children but for all citizens, leading to the establishment of a Friendship City agreement.
In June 2015, members of the Friendship City Partnership Citizens' Council, established by the citizens of Inagi City in April of this year, visited the site and provided recommendations for future friendship. A signing ceremony for the Friendship City Agreement with Nozawa Onsen Village is scheduled to take place in mid-next month.
In Inagi City, the Fourth Long-Term Comprehensive Plan outlines the promotion of activities that transcend municipal boundaries, such as Sister City relationships and international exchanges, and emphasizes the need to further invigorate exchanges and information sharing with related municipalities through Sister City initiatives and city events in the basic concept.
I hope that the conclusion of agreements with these Sister Cities and Friendship Cities will contribute to mutual development. In the future, I would like to work towards being able to engage in exchanges with cities overseas.