Thank you to our incredible hosts in Maebashi and
Hitachi, Japan!

Last month, JASA representatives had the honor of visiting Birmingham’s two Japanese sister cities. We are so grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality we experienced in both cities and hope to visit again.Visit Birmingham Sister Cities Commission for more information about Birmingham’s relationships with Maebashi and Hitachi. For information on other Alabama sister cities in Japan, please contact us!

 

 

JASA Delegates visit the dedication to Samuel Ullman’s “Youth” in Maebashi, Japan.

Maebashi – Gunma Prefecture

Our two days in Maebashi were filled with sightseeing, including to the Maebashi Museum of Literature. Outside is a statue dedicated to Birmingham poet, Samuel Ullman (pictured right). We were able to meet in Maebashi City Hall with several city officials including Deputy Mayor Kurashima and members from the Maebashi International Association. Thank you to everyone in Maebashi for a fantastic welcome dinner and a great visit to the city!

 

 

 

 

 

JASA Delegates visit the first building of Hitachi Manufacturing.

Hitachi – Ibaraki Prefecture  

While we were only able to spend one day in Hitachi this year, we had a wonderful time meeting with Hitachi City Officials and Hitachi Mayor Haruki Ogawa and experiencing the city. We toured the Hitachi Manufacturing Plant and visited various sightseeing spots around Hitachi City. This included Kamine Park (pictured right), which features a Vulcan Statue gifted to Hitachi by Birmingham Sister Cities Commission. Thank you for showing us your beautiful city by the sea!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hitachi’s Vulcan statue, gifted by Mayor Richard Arrington and Birmingham Sister Cities Commission.

JASA delegates pose with Vulcan.

JASA delegates visit Hitachi Manufacturing in Hitachi, Japan.

Maebashi Museum of Literature – Sakutaro Hagiwara’s home.

JASA delegates with Maebashi’s statue of Samuel Ullman’s “Youth” in English and Japanese.

JASA delegates with Kazunori Tago of Maebashi International Association and Seishun Society of Japan.

JASA delegates with Kazunori Tago of Maebashi International Association and Seishun Society of Japan.

JASA Delegates with Deputy Mayor Kurashima of Maebashi, Japan.

JASA delegates pose with Sakutaro Hagiwara’s statue in front of the Maebashi Museum of Literature.