MATSUMOTO, JAPAN & SALT LAKE CITY - SISTER CITY 50TH ANNIVERSARY

In 1958, Salt Lake City embarked on a new program to “Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.”

After countless cultural, educational, and economic exchanges with Matsumoto, Japan, Salt Lake City is excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of it’s oldest Sister City relationship.

The year 2008 brings Japanese art exhibits, kite-making workshops, delegation visits for the Days of 47 Parade, and a commemorative banquet. In September Mayor Becker and several council members will travel to Japan to represent Salt Lake City for Matsumoto’s celebration. To participate, or find out more about available activities, visit www.matsumotosl.org

The relationship between these two cities began in 1958 when the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Adiel F. Stewart, signed a Sister City Proclamation with the mayor of Matsumoto, Japan. Since then, the Sister City relationship between Matsumoto and Salt Lake City has received numerous awards for special activities and programs. There have also been many official and unofficial visits, student art and gift exchanges, and teacher and municipal employee exchange programs.

The Salt Lake Sister Cities Program is managed in CD’s Housing and Neighborhood Development division. Salt Lake City now shares Sister City relationships with seven cities throughout the world, and Friendship City relationships with two additional cities. These relationships are nurtured by members of the community, and strengthened by educational, governmental, and economic ties. Through these relationships, Salt Lake is able to enhance global ties locally and abroad.

HISTORY OF MATSUMOTO SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP:

1956 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower establishes the Sister City Program.

1957 – Tamotsu Murayama, Japan Times writer, meets with Utah Nippo publisher, Kuniko Terasawa, Henry and Alice Kasai, former Mayor Earl J. Glade and, University of Utah President, Dr. A. Ray Olpin, to negotiate the establishment of a Sister City relationship between the two cities.

1958 – November 29, Proclamation of Sister City affiliation is formalized by Salt Lake City Mayor Adiel F. Stewart and Matsumoto City Mayor Tokuya Furuhata.

1958 - 1976 – Sister City activities continue with visits from mayors and cultural exchanges. Local Issei groups hosted the visitors during this period. 1965 Matsumoto Honorary Citizenship recognition to former Mayor Earl J. Glade, Dr. A. Ray Olpin, Henry Kasai and Kuniko Terasawa. Shinichi Suzuki introduces the Suzuki Method of teaching violin and piano

1977 – The program takes on a new focus as respective Chambers of Commerce and the Rotary International groups take an active role in the exchanges. Matsumoto citizens and students take part in the Days of ‘47 activities. Student exchanges are established.

1983 – 22nd Annual Sister Cities International Award sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation, presented to Salt Lake City.

1991 – Matsumoto trade show held in the Salt Palace.
2008 - 50th anniversary of the Matsumoto Salt Lake Sister City Relationship. 40 delegates from Japan visit Salt Lake City in July 2008 for the city’s anniversary celebrations. In September 2008 Salt Lake City delegates will visit Japan for their city’s celebrations.