The city of Hachioji, Japan, and the city of Wriezen, Germany, will be officiating their agreement to become Sister Cities this up-coming Monday, July 10th. The signing of the agreement will take place in Wriezen, and Japan will send a delegation of 14 selected members to attend the occasion. The 14 members of the delegation will include Takayuki Ishimori, the mayor of Hachioji city, Kaiko Tsukamoto, who is the founder of the Hachioji Dr. Koenuma committee , and several members of the Koenuma family. They will be joined by the Japanese Ambassador to Germany, Takeshi Yagi.

 

 

 

 The delegation from Japan will depart on July 8th until the 14th.
 

 

 

 A press conference was held to announce the members of the delegation at the Hachioji City Hall, on June 27th. The delegation was presented with special gifts from the local schools to bring with them and offer to the city of Wriezen, as an act of friendship. Number 3 Elementary School donated an array of Origami crafts made by the students, while Number 6 Junior High contributed a handcrafted music box which played their school anthem. Hachioji High School in turn gifted the delegation with a DVD of their brass band, souvenirs of their home team, and a video introduction of their school, translated into English. The students at Chuo University presented the footage from the Koenuma documentary, which they had translated into German. The Hachioji Dr. Koenuma committee will be handing the city of Wriezen a miniature replica of the Dr. Koenuma monument that will be placed near his birthplace, made from the same stone as the original. The delegation were happy to receive a surprise gift of handmade cloth owls and Hachioji honey cookies (Hachi can mean the number eight but also bees) to take with them, as well.

 

 

 

 In order to participate in the experience, the cafeterias in Hachioji junior high and elementary schools will be adding typical German dishes to the menu while the delegation is in Wriezen.
 

 

 This historic agreement between the two cities coincides with the 100 year anniversary of Hachioji.
 

 Wriezen will be the 4th city to become a sister city with Hachioji, after Qin’an, China, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Siheung, Korea. An exhibition celebrating these friendships will be displayed at the Hachioji JR train station during the same time.
 

 The city of Hachioji has vowed to deepen their friendship with the city of Wriezen through many more such personal exchanges, as well as continue to spread Dr. Koenuma’s contribution and legacy further, in both countries.