Mayor Kiyotaka Igarashi traveled to Springfield to celebrate the 25th year anniversary of the official Sister Cities relationship of Springfield, MO and Isesaki, Japan, and to formally sign a new educational partnership between Isesaki and Missouri State University.

The evening banquet at the top of the Tower Club began with comments by SSCA president John Price who mentioned he has traveled to Japan twice, once as a member of M-Dock Band and once as President of the Springfield Sister Cities Association. He said having traveled as part of Sister Cities, “you understand what is means to have friend waiting for you when you get off the plane — friends and relationships are what the program is all about.”

Price reminded the audience that the 25 year history of Sister Cities includes 22 student exchanges, soccer, softball, cultural, girl scout, and citizen exchanges and “all those people do more than travel. They truly experience “Peace Through People.”

Other speakers included Mayor Jim O’Neal, Springfield Public Schools Board President Dr. Tom Prater, Green County Commissioner Jim Viebrock, and Past SSCA President Wally Munden. Japanese interpreter for the evening was Mika Logan, and dinner hostess was Joyce Munden.

Ceremonial gifts were exchanged, and Mayor Igarashi thanked Springfield for the support it gave Japan following the earthquakes and tsunami of March 2011. He said money from the SSCA Japan Relief Fund went towards purchase of a disaster rescue vehicle, although he added that he hoped it would never be needed again.

Signing of a new educational agreement between MSU president Cliff Smart and Mayor Igarashi formalized a series of student exchanges that began this summer, when 30 Isesaki students traveled Springfield to study at Missouri State University’s English Language Institute.

Another highlight of the evening was to honor Kenzo Nakato and Nakato Japanese Restaurant for significant donations to the Japan Relief Fund.

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