TYLER, TX (KLTV) – Delegates from Tyler’s sister city in Japan were welcomed at city hall on Thursday; a first for many who were involved.
Yachiyo City is located 18 miles outside of Tokyo and has been a sister city with Tyler since 1992.
On Thursday, the stage was set for their arrival. Fire trucks were in place, and people gathered around to welcome the delegates from thousands of miles away.
The door to their bus opened and Mayor Shuichi Akiba and his wife stepped out to a city hall full of waiting visitors. Inside, a special ceremony held for them as Tyler Mayor Martin Heines spoke.
Tony Tadasa, a member of Tyler Sister Cities organization, translated in Japanese.
Two cultures, meeting together in that moment; for Mayor Akiba, it’s a trip full of firsts.
“In fact it is, this is the first time I’ve visited the United States of America. The people are friendly, and the food is very delicious, so I like America and Tyler,” Akiba says.
After city hall, the group went to their next stop at the University of Texas at Tyler, who partners with Tyler Sister Cities to teach English in Yachiyo. There, they enjoyed some music before being served some barbecue.
Tadasa says group visits like this are extremely important.“Not only to come to America but to any place in the world that they need to know because this world is getting smaller,” Tadasa says.
A reference to a global society, with an economy that’s extremely connected.
“Now everybody has to know other countries to just do even business,” says Tadasa.
Before long, they were off one more time, to tour UT Tyler’s campus, as they waved goodbye to continue their journey around Tyler.
The group will continue touring in Tyler until Monday when they will then leave to spend a couple of days in Boston.
Via KLTV.
https://www.kltv.com/2015/10/16/cultures-collide-delegates-japan-tour-tyler-sister-city/
Tyler Sister Cities 