Photo courtesy of tony anderson
MAYORAL MOMENT. Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma and Kitakyushu Mayor Kenji Kitahashi speak on the balcony outside Baarsma’s office at city hall.
Representatives of the city of Tacoma and our Sister City in Japan, Kitakyushu, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the relationship on June 24.
The delegation spent several hours on a boat tour of Commencement Bay aboard the Point Ruston ferry.
That evening a celebration of the relationship between the two cities was held at Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.
Tony Anderson, past president of Tacoma’s Sister Cities Council, said ties forged through such relationships create understanding across language and culture barriers. “Peace is what will bring us together in the end,” he said.
Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma discussed the long history of close ties between our city and Japan. When the domestic market for lumber from Tacoma took a nosedive 100 years ago, a delegation from Japan arrived seeking to establish trading ties. This led to new markets for the lumber in Japan. “They selected Tacoma and gave us hope,” he remarked.
In addition to being Tacoma’s original Sister City, the relationship with Kitakyushu is the most active. He told the visitors he looks forward to paying a visit to their city later this summer. “Kitakyushu holds a special place in my heart.”
“This is truly a significant milestone in American/Japanese relations,” said Mitsunori Namba, the consul general for Japan who is based in Seattle. He noted 37 cities in this state have Sister City ties to Japan and Washingtonians of Japanese descent do much to share their rich cultural heritage. “Through such meaningful relationships, we build mutual understanding.”
Kengo Sasaki, chair of the Kitakyushu City Assembly, thanked Baarsma and others for the warm reception the delegation has received. “I wish you all prosperity and peace,” he said.
Kitakyushu Mayor Kenji Kitahashi noted this relationship began just 14 years after the two nations were at war with each other. Such relationships between cities “allow us to deepen our understanding of each other,” he said. “I look forward to how we will further deepen our friendship.”
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