国際交流団体の皆さんとの連携02

Each of the local groups that promote international exchange makes good use of their unique characteristics to sponsor various activities in addition to helping out and participating in municipally sponsored events.

In 1963, the Iwamizawa Chapter of the China-Japan Friendship Association was formed under the motto, ‘Finding common ground: a starting point for China-Japan friendship.’ In 1997, they continued their activities under the revised name 'Iwamizawa China-Japan Friendship Association'. In 2003, they celebrated their 40th anniversary. In 2004, a delegation, which included the mayor, spent a week's visit in China.

Working with the Chinese Consulate General in Sapporo in order to promote understanding of China, CJFA holds lectures and discussions, gives home-style Chinese cooking classes, holds an essay competition for middle school students based on the theme ‘Japan and China from now on,’ offers support to Chinese exchange students in Iwamizawa, and sponsors trips to China for high school students and agricultural leaders.

The committee was formed on the fifth-year anniversary of the establishment of Iwamizawa’s sister-city relationship with Pocatello. The core of the committee was made up of people who had visited Iwamizawa’s American sister city. Middle and high school students who have visited Pocatello serve as junior members, and local citizens who have served as host families are also committee members. Every year, when the delegation from Pocatello is in Iwamizawa, the committee serves as the nucleus for the efforts of all of the local international exchange organizations, working together with the city to welcome and host our guests.

The committee serves to: host a session of presentations by returnees from Pocatello, sponsor lectures on cross-cultural understanding, organizing and assisting host families and is involved in such other activities including teleconferencing with Pocatello.

In May, 1989, the Western Friends Association and the Japan-China Friendship Association joined to form the Kurisawa International Exchange Association, thereby expanding their outlook.

In July, 1989, the former township of Kurisawa signed a sister-city agreement with the U.S. city of Canby, Oregon.

The main activities of the association include hosting foreign students who are residing in Hokkaido, and organizing the International Exchange Forum where lecturers are invited to speak on a variety of international topics.