Sugito Town is located in the eastern part of Saitama Prefecture and is a historical town, as it used to be a bustling post town, also known as ‘Shukubamachi’ along the Nikko Kaido Route in the old days. With a population of approximately 44,000 and an area of 30 square kilometres, and the town’s shape is often likened to an eagle flapping its wings.
The town continues to develop as a beautiful garden city, with two major rivers, the Edo River in the east and the Furutone River in the west, running through it. Every summer, the “Furutone River Floating Lantern Festival” takes place, featuring around 250 handmade lanterns gently floating along the river. The riverside scenery, illuminated by the lit lanterns after sunset, is so mesmerising that it entices many visitors from outside the town.
In November 1996, Sugito Town formed a sister city affiliation with the City of Busselton in Western Australia.
Since then, the two municipalities deepened their relationship through biennial visits by goodwill delegation, which occurs in alternate years, and exchange programs of middle school students.
Sugito International Association and Busselton and Sugito Sister City Association (BASSCA) play a centre role to maintaining the exchanges.
On 3 November 2023, the Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals were announced, recognising the efforts of Ms. Pauline Vukelic, the current president of BASSCA. She was honoured with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
Further information on her achievement can be found here.
https://www.busselton.wa.gov.au/news/dunsborough-local-recognised-by-emperor-of-japan/550?c=17
She joined BASSCA in 2011 to contribute to community activities and was appointed as the president in 2014. She has actively supported the sister city exchanges by attending delegations from Sugito Town while in Australia, and participating in many visiting delegations from Australia to Japan, where she has helped with interpretation and assisted in events.
With her support, the bilateral relationship, which has been in place for more than 20 years, was recognised as a contributor to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Australia.
As a result, BASSCA received Foreign Minister’s Commendation from Japanese Government in 2017.
In February 2021, the City of Busselton hosted an event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its sister city relationship.
The event was attended by the then-Ambassador of Japan to Australia and the Consul-General of Japan in Perth. Although a delegation from Sugito Town was unable to attend the ceremony due to the pandemic, then-Mayor Matsuo Furuya was able to send a video message for the event, thanks to Ms. Vukelic’s commitment.
Her conferment has brought huge pride to the sister city associations of both municipalities. Sugito Town would like to express its respect for her achievement and looks forward to witnessing her future success. At the same time, the town sincerely hopes that Busselton and Sugito will continue to strengthen their relationship.
