2025 California-Japan Sister Cities Fall Workshop and Reception
2025/12/10
Group photo
Consul General Otsuki, Ms. Mizutani, Vice Mayor Addiego, Assemblymember Kalra deliver remarks
On Friday, November 21, the Consulates General of Japan in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the California-Japan Sister Cities Network (CJSCN) co-hosted the 2025 California-Japan Sister Cities Fall Workshop and Reception at the South San Francisco Library.
South San Francisco Vice Mayor welcomed attendees to his city, Consul General Kotaro Otsuki of San Francisco and CJSCN President Meg Mizutani gave welcome remarks, and California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra gave a toast, speaking about his recent trip to the U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit and San Jose’s sister city of Okayama.
In his remarks, Consul General Otsuki noted the high level of enthusiasm in Japan-California sister cities activities and encouraged attendees to continue learning from each other and collaborating with like-minded groups such as Japan-related businesses, JET Program alumni, and Japanese language teachers.
Under the theme of “Stories That Bridge: Business, Community, and Connection,” the workshop featured pitch-style presentations from representatives of various Japan-related companies, each sharing details of their work and ideas for collaboration with sister cities programs. An award ceremony was also held for the winner of the Sister City Category of the Consulate’ s “Once In Japan” Photo Contest, Mr. Weslee Dimalanta of the Richmond-Shimada sister city program. The evening wrapped up with panel on the importance and experience of host families, followed by a networking dinner.
Over 20 Japan-California sister city relationships were represented in this year’s event. Thank you to all the participants and please keep up the great work!
South San Francisco Vice Mayor welcomed attendees to his city, Consul General Kotaro Otsuki of San Francisco and CJSCN President Meg Mizutani gave welcome remarks, and California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra gave a toast, speaking about his recent trip to the U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit and San Jose’s sister city of Okayama.
In his remarks, Consul General Otsuki noted the high level of enthusiasm in Japan-California sister cities activities and encouraged attendees to continue learning from each other and collaborating with like-minded groups such as Japan-related businesses, JET Program alumni, and Japanese language teachers.
Under the theme of “Stories That Bridge: Business, Community, and Connection,” the workshop featured pitch-style presentations from representatives of various Japan-related companies, each sharing details of their work and ideas for collaboration with sister cities programs. An award ceremony was also held for the winner of the Sister City Category of the Consulate’ s “Once In Japan” Photo Contest, Mr. Weslee Dimalanta of the Richmond-Shimada sister city program. The evening wrapped up with panel on the importance and experience of host families, followed by a networking dinner.
Over 20 Japan-California sister city relationships were represented in this year’s event. Thank you to all the participants and please keep up the great work!
Business representatives pitch ideas for collaboration to the attendees
Panel discussion on Japan-California sister city host families
