David Wong/Daily Journal Louis Dressel and Paris Nejad examine the Pagoda statue in Central Park's Japanese Garden donated by the city of Toyonaka to the city of San Mateo in 1966. The two cities will celebrate their 50th anniversary of being associated as sister cities.
David Wong/Daily Journal Louis Dressel and Paris Nejad examine the Pagoda statue in Central Park's Japanese Garden donated by the city of Toyonaka to the city of San Mateo in 1966. The two cities will celebrate their 50th anniversary of being associated as sister cities.
In an era of increasing globalization, relations between two countries’ respective cities goes a long way toward fostering meaningful cultural interchange.
That is the case for San Mateo and Toyonaka — two sister cities that will mark their 50-year association with a series of visits and events in San Mateo in August.
Home to 393,420 residents, Toyonaka is located in Osaka prefecture that exists within the wider Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area in southern Japan.
It is home to luminaries such as: animator Osamu Tezuka, rock musician Tak Matsumoto and television personality Takashi Fuiji, as seen in the film, “Lost in Translation.”
“[The sister cities relationship] was formed out of a Sister Cities International program that was started by President Dwight Eisenhower in the late ’50s to promote goodwill between cities and countries ... following [World War] II,” San Mateo Mayor David Lim wrote in an email.
Several exchange students traveled to Toyonaka in 1962 and, when they came back, they spoke with city officials about the similarities between the two cities.
The relationship first began when a delegation of San Mateo city officials visited Toyonaka in 1963 and established programs such as library book exchanges and gift exchanges, according to George Musante, treasurer of the Sister City Association.
The Sister City Association, run primarily by volunteers, helps to organize many of the events, both past and present.
The most prominent aspect of the relationship is the cultural exchange of San Mateo little league all-stars, consisting of 11- to 12-year-olds, who visit Toyonaka and the latter’s little league all stars that visit San Mateo approximately every two years.
According to Carolyn Shavel, vice president of the Sister City Association, the exchanges between Toyonaka and San Mateo youths provide an invaluable experience toward expanding their world views and fostering lifelong friendships.
“[The cultural exchange] is a great way to see [the host families’] homes and the Japanese way of life ... it was very exciting to participate in the day-to-day activities,” Shavel said.
The anniversary celebrations will take place Aug. 16 and 17, which will be attended by 35 of Toyonaka’s dignitaries, residents and mayor, Keiichiro Asari.
A dinner hosted by former San Mateo mayors will honor the visitors. Tickets for the 6 p.m. dinner celebration at the Foster City Crowne Plaza on Aug. 16 is $65 each, while a table for 10 costs $600.
Members of the City Council and school boards will greet the Toyonaka visitors when they arrive Aug. 15 for a reception at the Japanese Tea Garden.
On the following day, visitors will take a tour of the city before sitting in on special morning City Council meeting, where a ceremonial agreement reaffirming the two cities’ relationship will be drafted.
A free park festival with traditional music and little league all-stars baseball games take place Aug. 17 at San Mateo Central Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information go to www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=2631 or call the city clerk at 522-7042.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
What the Constitution Means to Me Read moreWhat The Constitution Means To Me
Join us for community fun! Free antique and collectible appraisals by Clars Auction. Over 30… Read moreMillbrae Senior Showcase
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.