Moka City is located in the southeastern part of Tochigi Prefecture and is abundant with nature. In the old days, the city was known throughout Japan for its specialty, “Moka Cotton”. Today, the city boasts the highest production of specialty strawberries in Japan and continues to develop as a high-tech city with a large industrial park.
In June 2022, Moka City formed a friendship city affiliation with the Shire of Harvey in Western Australia. Before this, the two cities had established an excellent relationship through a sister school affiliation of secondary schools, which was formed in 2003. Over the years, more than 300 students from both cities have interacted to understand each other’s culture and traditions. Even during the pandemic affected years, they deepened their relationship by proactively exchanging information through online meetings.
The youth exchange program resumed last year, and 47 secondary school students visited Harvey Shire. They were able to directly experience the local atmosphere in a way that is not possible online, and developed new friendships through the exchange program. Additionally, when the delegate from Moka City visited Harvey Shire to commemorate the first anniversary of their friendship city affiliation, they were warmly welcomed by Harvey Council members and the locals. By attending the ceremony and exchange events, they achieved deeper mutual understanding and built a more solid relationship.
Since the conclusion of the affiliation agreement, the exchange of letters between primary school students and agriculture-related interactions between high schools have started and the range of exchanges has been broadened.
Moka City will continue to support friendly exchange between citizens of the two cities in order to facilitate a more active relationship and common prosperity, which brings social, cultural and economic growth of both cities, as well as to foster global citizens for the future.
