Bellingham-Tateyama Sister City Relationship’s 60th Anniversary
2018/9/17
From September 4 to 6, 2018, in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the Bellingham – Tateyama, sister city relationship, Bellingham hosted the 2018 Mayoral Summit, inviting representatives from each of its seven sister cities. Mayor Kelli Linville welcomed mayors from Tateyama, Japan; Port Stephens, Australia; Vaasa, Finland; and Tsetserleg, Mongolia; and representatives of Cheongju, South Korea; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Nakhodka, Russia; to Bellingham to discuss the summit’s theme, “Global Dialogue for Community Solutions.”
At the Sayonara Gala, which concluded the 2018 Mayoral Summit and the 60th Anniversary celebrations, Senior Consul Takeshi Murazawa presented the Consul General’s Commendation on behalf of Consul General Yamada to the Bellingham Sister Cities Association. This award was given in recognition of its contributions and distinguished achievements in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States of America.
Though this gathering was brief, all participants agreed that new friendships had been forged, a commitment to promoting international exchange had been renewed, and a desire to continue their discussions through this type of international grassroots exchange should be continued.
Amongst Bellingham’s sister cities, Tateyama holds the distinction of being the oldest sister in the family. To celebrate sixty years of friendship and exchange, a special twenty-member delegation traveled from Tateyama to Bellingham for this historic occasion. Joining Mayor Kenichi Kanamaru were Mr. Noboru Mochizuki and Mr. Shiji Fukuoka, Tateyama City Council members; high school and college students; Tateyama International Exchange Society members; and citizens from varying walks of life.
At the Sayonara Gala, which concluded the 2018 Mayoral Summit and the 60th Anniversary celebrations, Senior Consul Takeshi Murazawa presented the Consul General’s Commendation on behalf of Consul General Yamada to the Bellingham Sister Cities Association. This award was given in recognition of its contributions and distinguished achievements in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States of America.
Though this gathering was brief, all participants agreed that new friendships had been forged, a commitment to promoting international exchange had been renewed, and a desire to continue their discussions through this type of international grassroots exchange should be continued.
Amongst Bellingham’s sister cities, Tateyama holds the distinction of being the oldest sister in the family. To celebrate sixty years of friendship and exchange, a special twenty-member delegation traveled from Tateyama to Bellingham for this historic occasion. Joining Mayor Kenichi Kanamaru were Mr. Noboru Mochizuki and Mr. Shiji Fukuoka, Tateyama City Council members; high school and college students; Tateyama International Exchange Society members; and citizens from varying walks of life.
 Event signs commemorating the 60th Anniversary, representing Bellingham’s sister cities, and celebrating the inaugural Global Mayoral Summit, respectively. |
 Senior Consul Takeshi Murazawa, Ross Grier (BSCA); Noriko Sharik (BSCA); The Hon. Kelli Linville (Mayor of Bellingham); Consul Takayuki Ishikawa.
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 Ross Grier accepting the Consul General’s Commendation on behalf of the Bellingham Sister Cites Association (BSCA) from Sr. Consul Murazawa. |
 Mayor Kenichi Kanamaru accepting an award for Tateyama City’s “Population Net Gain.” Each sister city delegate leader received an award recognizing a distinguishing feature of their city. |
 Artwork created by children from each of Bellingham’s seven sister cities. |
 Japanese Garden adjacent to the Bellingham Central Library which showcases a stone lantern gifted by Tateyama as a symbol of friendship. |
 Plaque commemorating the stone lantern given by Tateyama to Bellingham symbolizing a “bridge” of friendship between Japan and the US. |
 For the 35th anniversary of the sister relationship between Bellingham and Tateyama, a plaque honoring Mayor Westford was added to the garden. |