Clearwater Sister Cities highlights Nagano delegation, hosts visiting students; board approves minutes

The Clearwater Sister Cities Advisory Board on Oct. 23, 2025, reviewed a July delegation trip to Nagano, Japan, heard remarks from a visiting high school student from Nagano, and approved meeting minutes by voice vote.

The presentation and discussion centered on the official Clearwater delegation’s July visit to Nagano, one of Clearwater’s sister cities. Amber Bryce, Arts and Cultural Affairs Manager, led a slide presentation outlining the delegation’s itinerary and meetings. Bryce said the group visited a Murakami miso factory, held a school visit at Kawanakojima Middle School, attended formal receptions at Nagano City Hall and a citizens’ welcome dinner, observed traditional performances and tea ceremonies, toured religious sites including Tokaku Ji Shrine and Senkoji Temple, and made business appointments with Daiso, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Daiwa House. “I think it was a great learning experience for all of us,” Bryce said.

Stephanie Chill, president of Clearwater Sister Cities Inc., told the board the trip underscored the long history of the relationship with Nagano: Clearwater has been paired with Nagano since 1959, the presentation said, and delegation visits have occurred for more than 50 years with student exchanges for more than 35 years. Chill said the hospitality shown in Nagano offered lessons for hosting future visitors and for strengthening ties that can lead to cultural and economic exchanges.

A visiting student, Mei Momota, identified herself as a high school student from Nagano City and addressed the board through a prepared statement. Momota said she had been unable to travel the prior year because of a hurricane and that staying with a host family in Clearwater had been meaningful. “I hope this friendship between Nagano and Clearwater will continue to grow stronger and that young people like us can be bridges that connect our two cities in the future,” Momota said.

Board members and attendees described specific moments from the visit: helping students clean at Kawanakojima Middle School, tasting regional foods including oyaki (a traditional Nagano dumpling), touring a miso factory, and meeting with the U.S. Embassy and Japanese businesses. Several speakers noted the potential for future economic opportunities following Daiso’s opening locally and interest from Nagano businesses in adapting products for the Clearwater market.

The board also heard program updates from Stephanie Chill and staff. Clearwater Sister Cities Inc. is organizing an International Bazaar, a free family festival scheduled for Nov. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 400 block of Cleveland Street, intended to highlight Clearwater’s sister cities and include arts and crafts, international vendors and cultural programming. Chill said both high school and middle school exchange applications are open for upcoming travel to Nagano in 2026.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes: A motion to approve minutes was made for the minutes referenced on the agenda; Vice Mayor Lina Tishada moved to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2025, meeting; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote with members responding “Aye.” (Voice vote; no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.)

Why it matters Clearwater’s sister-city exchanges combine cultural programming, student exchanges and business meetings that board members said can produce both educational benefits for students and economic connections for local businesses. The board’s announcements — the International Bazaar and open exchange applications — set upcoming public events and deadlines related to those programs.

What’s next The board will continue planning the International Bazaar and recruit applicants for the 2026 exchanges. Visiting students from Nagano remain in Clearwater for the visit period announced at the meeting; board members encouraged participation in festival and exchange activities.