Fukuoka, japan

Ceremonies in February 2005 mark the inauguration of Atlanta’s newest sister, Fukuoka, Japan.  With a population of 1.4 million, Fukuoka is located in the northern part of the Kyushu region in West Japan, close to the Korean Peninsula and facing Sea of Japan.

Fukuoka City has the geographical advantage of being close to the Chinese Continent and has played an important role as a gateway through which culture and knowledge from China and other Asian countries were introduced to Japan since olden times. Based on its historical experiences, Fukuoka has promoted city planning with the aim of becoming a “focal point of exchanges within Asia”.

Fukuoka is the center of West Japan. Many administrative and economic-related organizations are located here. A transportation network has also been developed that includes an international port, a bullet train terminal as well as an international airport with the third largest number of passengers and the third largest trade volume in Japan.  The city is well equipped with the infrastructure to promote various exchange activities.

Nineteen universities are located in the Greater Fukuoka Area, where more than 2000 foreign students study. Fukuoka has the second largest number of university students per capita among the major cities in Japan.

Building on relationships

Relationships have existed between the cities since 1993 when Mayor Maynard Jackson and then Mayor Keiichiro Kuwahara signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural and Economic Cooperation. Also at that time, the Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce signed an Agreement of Cooperative Promotion.  Existing educational links include annual youth exchange programs coordinated between Fukuoka City and the Atlanta Public Schools and also between Fukuoka University and Georgia Institute of Technology.

Economic links

The headquarters of Coca Cola West Japan is located in Fukuoka along with 40 other U.S. companies, such as P&G and Baxter.  Additionally, there are many other foreign companies located in Fukuoka City. Their specializations range from medical equipment to information services. Japanese companies that have branches in both the Kyushu region and the Atlanta vicinity include Bridgestone Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Japan Airlines, Kubota Tractor Corp., Makita Corp., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Nitta Corp., Sumitomo Corp., Toppan Printing Co. Ltd., TOSOH Corp., TOTO U.S.A Inc., Zenrin Co. Ltd., Yamaha Motor Corp., Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co.  and YKK Group, as well as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).  In addition, 26 Japanese companies with headquarters in Fukuoka also have offices in the United States.

Past Records of Exchange Programs with Atlanta (FY2004)

1993/July	Fukuoka City Mission visits Atlanta (31 members including Mayor, chairman of City Council, representatives from the Economic Circles and private organization).
1993/July 20	Mayors of Fukuoka and Atlanta sign the "Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Cultural and Economic Cooperation". Presidents of the Atlanta and Fukuoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry sign the "Agreement on Exchange Promotion".
1994/May	Atlanta Fukuoka Partnership Committee is established.
1994/July 1994/Oct.       1994/Dec.	Westminster High School students visit Fukuoka. Atlanta Delegation headed by COO visits Fukuoka to promote the "Super Cross (Motocross) Championship". Atlanta Public School students visit Fukuoka. Women's Friendship Mission headed by Deputy Mayor visits Atlanta. Mission of Education to Friendship Cities visits Atlanta Fukuoka Municipal Women's High School students visit Atlanta
1995/April 1995/August 1995/Sept.	Fukuoka sends experts to provide assistance to construct a Japanese garden commemorating the Atlanta Olympic Games. Deputy Mayor visits Atlanta to observe the 6th Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Trade Development Director of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Industry participates in the International Trade Fair, Fukuoka Fukuoka Delegation joins JapanFest to demonstrate the Hakata Dolls technique and the traditional performing arts.
1996/July 1996/August 1996/Oct.	Fukuoka City Councilmen observe the opening ceremony of Atlanta Olympic Games. A citizen TV reporter covers the story of Afro-American women in Atlanta as a part of Fukuoka International Women's Forum '96. Representatives of Atlanta Spelman College participate in Fukuoka International Women's Forum '96. City Councilmen observe the Fukuoka-Atlanta Partnership Mayors Cup AMA SuperCross All Stars '96 in Fukuoka.
2000/Sept.	Deputy Mayor-Finance visits Atlanta to discuss exchange programs and attend JapanFest, where the Hakata Doll technique is demonstrated.  He also goes on TV.
2001/July	Deputy Mayor attends the Sister Cities International annual meeting held in Atlanta and consults with the Chair of Atlanta Sister Cities Commission and the regional director, Asia & Oceania, SCI on the possibility of dual twinning.
2002/July	Three English teachers do demonstration classes at elementary schools and high schools in Fukuoka under the “International Educators to Japan” program.
2002/Sept.	President& CEO of Public Broadcasting Atlanta visits the broadcasting station in Fukuoka and exchanges opinions with executive staff.
2003/May	Fukuoka University hosts 18 students of Georgia Institute of Technology and they join lectures, a city tour and a homestay program.
2004/June	Municipal high school hosts an Atlanta student under the Youth for Understanding Japan Foundation short-stay program.
2005/February	Fukuoka delegation headed by Mayor of Fukuoka visits Atlanta to conclude the formal sister city agreement.
Regular Exchange Programs
1995	Mutual visits of the Youth Missions ( Every year from Atlanta, every two years from Fukuoka) Homestay program for the Atlanta Award winner of the Fukuoka English Speech Contest (Every year) Participation at Atlanta JapanFest to exhibit Fukuoka special products (Every year)
1996	Students exchange program between Fukuoka University and Georgia Tech.
2004	Children from Atlanta participate in the Asian-Pacific Children Convention in Fukuoka

The Officers and Committee Chair Members

Sue Renfroe, Chair
Sachi Koto, Vice Chair
Mary Collins, Treasurer
TBD, Secretary
Tom & Hiroko Yamashita, Membership
Yuri Tsuji, Membership
Paul Royal, Membership
Keiko Yamakawa, Program Activity
Alex Wu, Program Activity
Tommy Miki, Hospitality
Keiko Scott, Hospitality
Roman Szlam, Newsletter
Jessica Cork, Public Relations
Marie Zedler, Website

Contact Information:
Sue Renfroe, Chairman
atlanta-fukuoka@hotmail.com