Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the International Relations Sister Cities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Alder Madison reports on Madison’s 20th anniversary sister-city visit to Obihiro, Japan
Summary
Alder Madison summarized a July delegation visit to Obihiro, Japan, highlighting cultural and municipal exchanges, university partnerships and takeaways for local policy such as vending machines and winter street infrastructure.
Alder Madison gave a five-minute presentation to the Madison Common Council Executive Committee on Aug. 5 describing a July 2–8 delegation visit to Obihiro, Japan, to mark the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship.
Participants, Alder Madison said, included Mayor Rhodes Conway and the mayor’s partner Amy, Alder Figueroa Cole, Lila DeCosta (sister city coordinator, mayor’s office), and members of the Madison Obihiro board including its president. Alder Madison said attendees paid their own way and that the city did not publicly fund the trip.
The delegation visited Obihiro’s municipal offices, met the Obihiro mayor and council, toured the Obihiro Museum and Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and visited farms and local industry. Madison and Obihiro exchange students and university relationships were noted; the presenter said UW–Madison has a long-standing partnership with Obihiro University.
Alder Figueroa Cole said she valued the robust support Obihiro offers farmers, including subsidies and city-state programs. The delegation also observed transit options, small emergency and service vehicles, LED street-lighting designed to shed snow and other winter-resilience features — items the mayor and other delegates described as potential takeaways.
Alder Madison noted cultural exchanges at schools and a “Sister Cities Corner” exhibition in Obihiro that showcases gifts and past exchanges. Alder Madison described the visit as educational and said similar municipal issues — sustainability, transit and community development — surfaced in both cities despite geographic distance.
Obihiro’s delegation is scheduled to visit Madison later this fall to celebrate the 20th anniversary; Alder Madison encouraged alder participation. Alder Madison offered to share additional photos with alders on request.
