2024 California-Japan Sister Cities Fall Workshop & Reception in Northern California
2024/12/11
Consul General Osumi gives welcome remarks
Welcome remarks from CJSCN President Meg Mizutani
On Friday, December 6, Consul General Yo Osumi co-hosted the 2024 California-Japan Sister Cities Fall Workshop & Reception in Northern California at his official residence with the California-Japan Sister Cities Network (CJSCN). The reception was attended by sister city stakeholders from 28 cities across California, JET Program Alumni, and local high school students who are taking Japanese language classes.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Osumi emphasized that the sister city exchanges flourishing at the grassroots level in California supports the foundation of the entire Japan-U.S. relationship. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening sister city programs through cooperation with various groups such as JET Program alumni. He also introduced the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will be held in Osaka Prefecture next year, and Sister Cities International’s (SCI) U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit, and encouraged attendees to take these opportunities to visit Japan. Mr. Carlo Capua, Board Chair of Sister Cities International, sent a video message to the reception, inviting attendees to participate in the summit. Other speakers also praised the thriving exchanges between sister cities, including Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, who signed a sister city agreement with Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, this past July. Izumisano will be the host city for SCI’s summit next year. Mayor Manalo presented certificates of commendation to Consul General Osumi and the other co-hosts of the event,In her keynote presentation, Ms. Hanna Majidi, Glendora-Mooka Sister City Association President and CJSCN Board Member, introduced her own experience of participating in an internship in Mooka, Tochigi Prefecture, and described the significance of deepening the sister city relationship from a business perspective.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Osumi emphasized that the sister city exchanges flourishing at the grassroots level in California supports the foundation of the entire Japan-U.S. relationship. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening sister city programs through cooperation with various groups such as JET Program alumni. He also introduced the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which will be held in Osaka Prefecture next year, and Sister Cities International’s (SCI) U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit, and encouraged attendees to take these opportunities to visit Japan. Mr. Carlo Capua, Board Chair of Sister Cities International, sent a video message to the reception, inviting attendees to participate in the summit. Other speakers also praised the thriving exchanges between sister cities, including Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo, who signed a sister city agreement with Izumisano, Osaka Prefecture, this past July. Izumisano will be the host city for SCI’s summit next year. Mayor Manalo presented certificates of commendation to Consul General Osumi and the other co-hosts of the event,In her keynote presentation, Ms. Hanna Majidi, Glendora-Mooka Sister City Association President and CJSCN Board Member, introduced her own experience of participating in an internship in Mooka, Tochigi Prefecture, and described the significance of deepening the sister city relationship from a business perspective.
Video message from SCI Chair Capua
Keynote presentation from Ms. Majidi
Daly City Mayor Manalo delivers a toast
Group photo with guests from over 28 California cities
Breakout discussions
Consul General Osumi and Mayor Manalo pose with the Osaka Kansai Expo’s mascot Myaku Myaku
Mayor Manalo presents commendation to Consul General Osumi
