Award Ceremony Honoring Tachikawa-San Bernardino Sister City Committee and Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation

On the evening of Friday, May 24, an award ceremony was held to honor the 60th anniversary of two Sister City relationships, Tachikawa - San Bernardino and Los Angeles – Nagoya.  The ceremony was held at the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles, followed by a reception.  From Tachikawa-city, the Honorable Shohei Shimizu, Mayor of Tachikawa, and his delegation were in attendance.  Consul General Akira Chiba, along with a full room of guests, celebrated the 60th anniversary of both Sister City relationships.
         
The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem of Japan by Ms. Hinako Togashi, who was accompanied on piano by Ms. Kanade Tokiwa, both students from the City of Tachikawa. Ms. Andrea Press, a professional singer then sang the US national anthem.        

Next, Consul General Chiba congratulated the Sister Cities for reaching their respective Kanreki milestones, which represents the resetting of the Japanese zodiac calendar every 60-years.  Consul General Chiba then awarded the Consul General's Commendation to both Mr. Michael Avila, the Chairperson of Tachikawa - San Bernardino Sister City Committee, and Ms. Teruko Weinberg, the Chairperson of Los Angeles Nagoya Sister City Affiliation in recognition of their respective commitments to promoting and pursuing friendship and goodwill between Japan and the United States.

Congratulatory remarks were then provided by the Mayor of Tachikawa, Honorable Shohei Shimizu; the Mayor of San Bernardino, the Honorable John Valdivia; the Chairperson of the Tachikawa - San Bernardino Sister City Committee, Ms. Kazuko Ichikawa from the city of Tachikawa; and the Deputy Mayor for International Relations for the City of Los Angeles, Ambassador Nina Hachigian.

The ceremony concluded with a toast by Dr. Anthony Al-Jamie, the President of Sister City International Southern California Chapter.   

The reception after the ceremony was enjoyed by all the guests including board members of the two Sister City committees.