The mayor, city council vice-chairman and councillors from Wakayama, Japan visited Richmond from Oct. 30-31.
During the visit, the new Wakayama mayor, Masahiro Obana, and new city council vice-chairman, Masato Toda, along with Richmond mayor Malcolm Brodie and council members from both cities discussed their ongoing mutual commitment to promote educational, cultural, artistic, tourism and economic exchanges between the two sister cities.
A memorandum of understanding was signed to renew the two cities’ longstanding sister city relationship and to support commitments to work collaboratively to promote international exchange.
Together with the mayor and members of Richmond’s council, members of the Wakayama delegation attended an official opening of Town Square Park in Steveston, where they participated in a cherry tree planting ceremony.
At the park, the Wakayama delegation saw the installation of the suikinkutsu they previously gifted to Richmond. This Japanese water feature is one of Town Square Park’s most striking features.
The City of Wakayama has been the City of Richmond’s sister city since 1973.
