Crescent City/Del Norte County Establish Sister City Relationship with Rikuzentakata
Consul General Uyama delivering his remarks
Del Norte High School student delivering her remarks
On Monday, April 16, a ceremony to commemorate the establishment of the Crescent City/Del Norte County-Rikuzentakata sister city relationship was held at the Crescent City Cultural Center.
Ceremony
There were many dignitaries in attendance, including Rikuzentakata Mayor Futoshi Toba and City Council Chairman Akihiko Ito leading their delegation, Crescent City Mayor Blake Inscore and other members of the City Council, and Del Norte County Board of Supervisors Chairman Chris Howard along with other County Supervisors. Consul General Uyama delivered remarks to the attendees. Scores of citizens from both countries were present to celebrate the occasion and were able to learn about the current status of Rikuzentakata through pictures and video.
Former Special Advisor for Rikuzentakata Amya Miller delivering her remarks
Chairman Howard, Mayor Inscore, Mayor Toba, and Chairman Ito posing after having signed the agreement
Mayor Inscore leading a toast with sake from Rikuzentakata
Citizens enjoying the ceremony
History
The initial connection between both cities was a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. A small boat belonging to Takata High School in Rikuzentakata was swept out to sea and reached the shores of Crescent City two years later. Students of Del Norte High School cleaned the boat and sent it back to Takata High School. That was the start of a relationship between the two schools. They have engaged in a student exchange program supported by the TOMODACHI Initiative and became sister schools in 2017. The connection has developed so much that Crescent City/Del Norte County and Rikuzentakata have now formally established a sister city relationship. Rikuzentakata has made much effort in its recovery, including internationalization initiatives like building the “Rikuzentakata Global Campus.”
Video
A video about recovery efforts in Rikuzentakata.