From 5 to 6 August, we supported Odawara city (Kanagawa prefecture) delegates’ visit to their friendship city, Manly. The cities have their mutual exchange program called “Tokimeki International School”. This year marked the 25th anniversary of their great program. The Mayor of Odawara also visited Manly to celebrate the anniversary.
This time, 25 students enjoyed the program; the students stayed at their host families’ homes, whose children visited Odawara in early July. The Odawara delegates learned Manly Council’s activities with a study tour, hearing about the protection of little penguins and maintenance of the area’s natural beauty.
In the past 25 years, around 1,450 young people from both cities participated in the Tokimeki International School program.
Thanks to this program, many of them have chosen to move into international fields as they reach adulthood. This program has a great positive impact on young people in both cities. We are sure that their friendship will help keep the deep ties between Japan and Australia.
