フォートウェーン市との交流(英語版)

Koshimae Exchange Program

1 About the Koshimae Exchange Program

The late Asakichi Koshimae, born in Takaoka, made his fortune in the town of Obihiro, Hokkaido.

Feeling a deep connection to his hometown, he returned to Takaoka multiple times over the years, and would constantly express his desire to give something back to the city. After his death, members of his family got together and decided to donate one hundred million yen (approxima電話y one million dollars) to the City of Takaoka in his name. With the money the left the following instructions; "International exchanges are becoming more and more common. Use this money to send the youth of Takaoka overseas so that they may experience life abroad and gain the international perspective that they will need when they become leaders of Takaoka."

The City of Takaoka, wishing to promote its sister cities and raise the level of international awareness and understanding among its citizenry, used the money to establish the Koshimae Exchange Fund. At the same time, it formed the Koshimae Exchange Program Steering Committee, an organization that would oversee the use of the money and ensure that it was used for the purposes Mr. Koshimae intended.

In 1990, Takaoka began sending high school students over to stay in Fort Wayne, and also started inviting students from Fort Wayne to visit Takaoka. June of 2007 marked the 17th iteration of this program, with a total of 80 students and 19 teachers from Takaoka, and 84students and 16 supervisors from Fort Wayne participating over the years.

2 Visit to Takaoka (2010)

• When 23 days, from Sunday, June 13th, 2010 to Monday July 5th, 2010 (Dates in Takaoka: 15th to the 30th)
• Host School Takaoka Kogei High School
• What Attend classes and clubs at Takaoka High. Participate in Field Day. Visit respective Sister Schools.
  Meet the Mayor. Attend Welcome Party. Visit an area Elementary School. Tour of the City.
  Handicrafts Workshop. Regional bus tour. etc.

3 Visit to Fort Wayne (2009)

• When 18 days, Friday, March 13th, 2009 to Monday, March30th, 2009 (Dates in Fort Wayne: 14th to the 16th)
• Host School Elmhurst High School
• What Attend classes and clubs at Elmhurst. Visit respective Sister Schools.
  Meet the Mayor. Attend Welcome Party. Visit an area Elementary School.
  Visit to a school providing a Japanese language supplementary lesson. Tour of the City. etc.

4 A project to accept "the good will visit delegation from Fort Wayne" for the 30th anniversary of the sister city partnership(2007)

2007 is the 30 the anniversary of the sister city partnership between Takaoka and Fort Wayne cities. To commemorate this, the Fort Wayne Friendship Delegation made up of 18 members, led by Mark Becker, a Deputy Mayor of Fort Wayne city visited this city to stay for 4 days between May 14th(Monday) and 17th(Thursday) for the purpose of participating in celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of the sister city partnership.

The Delegation paid a courtesy visit to the mayor and the chairman of the city council, participated in the 30th anniversary ceremony and celebration, and met with the members from the Takaoka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Some of the delegation members visited Hiramai Elementary School and Seibu Nursery School, where they developed exchanges with the children. The delegation also enjoyed the Japanese culture through a visit to Zuiryuji Temple and tea ceremony experience there. They watched Fushiki Parade Float Festival, where for the first time they saw kaccha floats dramatically bumping into each other,

They got really excited about it, cheering wildly along with the other spectators.

In addition, a painting exhibition featuring works by elementary school students from Takaoka and Fort Wayne cities was held in Wing Wing Takaoka, which became significant as an exchange across national boundaries.

Dates of Visit:4 days, from Monday, May 14th, 2007 to Thursday, May 17th, 2007

Contact Information

Takaoka City Hall
Office of Multicultural Affairs
7-50 Hirokoji Takaoka Toyama 933-8601

• Telephone:0766-20-1236 fax:0766-20-1641
• E-MAIL：Mail to 高岡市多文化共創まちづくり課