Photo op: Mayor Crombie and Mayor Takenaka Exchanging Gifts to Mark 35 Years as Sister Cities

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Kariya Mayor Yoshinori Takenaka will be exchanging gifts to mark the 35th anniversary of Mississauga’s sister city relationship with Kariya, Japan.

Media Photo Opportunity

What:

Formal gift exchange between Mayor Crombie and Mayor Takenaka

When:

Thursday, June 30, 2016

2 – 2:30 p.m.

Where:

Mississauga Civic Centre – Great Hall
300 City Centre Drive
[Map]

Who:

• Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
• Yoshinori Takenaka, Mayor of Kariya, Japan
• Mississauga Members of Council
• Yutaka Suzuki, President of Kariya International Friendship Association (KIFA)
• Hidefumi Maeda, Chair of Kariya City Council
• Masahiko Niwa, Kariya City Liaision
• Ms. Kyoko Sato, Interpreter
• Stephanie Meeuwse, President of Mississauga Friendship Association (MFA)

Light refreshments will be served.

About Mississauga’s Sister City Relationship

This year, the City of Mississauga celebrates the 35th anniversary of our sister city relationship with Kariya, Japan.  Since July 7, 1981, Mississauga has been proud to call the City of Kariya its sister city.

The 35th anniversary celebration includes several activities including Kariya Mayor Takenaka’s visit to Mississauga, Japan Festival Mississauga 2016, and a press conference being held by the Japan Festival Mississauga organizers.

The Sister City initiative was introduced in the 1950s as a way to develop communication networks between cities of the world. The main goal was to reduce misunderstandings and conflict between nations, particularly in the aftermath of World War II.

The benefits of sister city partnerships go well beyond friendship. They are a way for both cities to enhance their global reputation and trade, to provide learning opportunities for governments and business, and to provide a cultural and educational exchange between both cities. Mississauga now boasts some 99 Japanese companies that contribute to the local economy.