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Marquette delegation renews sister-city ties with Higashiomi; introduces NMU scholarship student
Summary
A Marquette delegation reported a July–August visit to Higashiomi, Japan, and presented a renewed affiliation with Higashiomi commerce groups; the commission heard introductions of delegates and a scholarship student attending Northern Michigan University.
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Marquette City Commission received a presentation from a local sister-city delegation that visited Higashiomi (formerly Yokaichi), Japan. The delegation’s visit ran from July 23 to Aug. 4 and included cultural exchanges, host-family stays and meetings with municipal and business leaders in Higashiomi.
The delegation’s presenter, identified in the record as a city delegate named Bill, said the visit "was to continue the premise of our cultural understanding, international friendship, and the sharing of ideas since the signing of our sister city agreement between the city of Marquette and Higashiomi, formerly Yokaichi, in 1979." He told the commission that this visit marked the 46th year of the sister-city relationship and that seven delegates participated.
The visit was highlighted by a renewal agreement signed by the Lake Superior Community Partnership and Higashiomi business groups; the presenter described the renewal as replacing an original 1983 agreement because the Japanese municipality changed its name from Yokaichi to Higashiomi. The presenter introduced delegation members by name: Colin Banger (vice leader), Beverly Matherne, Christopher Germaine (representing the Lake Superior Community Partnership), Michael Sobek (television coverage, TV6), Ethan Ormsby and Tomeko Inouye. The presenter also introduced Kazuki Sawa, identified as the 2025 sister-city scholarship student attending Northern Michigan University.
A small commemorative gift from a shopping street business in Higashiomi was presented to the city and will be displayed in the Sister City room, the presenter said. Commissioners thanked the delegation for continuing the long-standing relationship; one commissioner also noted an upcoming visiting delegation from Kyyjärvi, Finland planned for early November.
The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; the item was informational.
The presentation included references to outreach by the Lake Superior Community Partnership and to TV6 coverage that documented the visit.
