Miyoshi and Keizer sign sister‑city memorandum to deepen student, cultural and economic ties

Miyoshi City and Keizer, Oregon formally signed a sister‑city memorandum of understanding on Dec. 11, 2025, in an online ceremony hosted by Miyoshi officials.

Marumoto of Miyoshi’s Planning and Promotion Department opened the event and explained the agreement will “promote mutual respect, cultural understanding, educational exchange and economic cooperation” between the two cities. Marumoto said two Japanese and two English copies were prepared and that the ceremony would proceed online with pre‑signed scan files exchanged; originals will be mailed to each mayor’s office.

竹内国則, mayor of 三好市, thanked attendees and described recent student exchange activities, saying the memorandum ‘‘is just the beginning’’ of cooperative work across education, culture and the local economy.伊藤克巳 served as interpreter and conveyed a message from Keizer’s mayor.

Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark said it was an honor to celebrate the partnership and highlighted shared interests in agriculture, business, education and the arts, adding that both cities looked forward to closer ties and collaborative projects in the coming years.

Officials paused for a commemorative photograph after the signatures were completed. During a subsequent question‑and‑answer period, Keizer delegates and council members discussed recent host‑family experiences with visiting Miyoshi students, noting positive impressions of cultural exchange and social activities such as shared meals and karaoke. Keizer representatives said the city’s sister‑city committee is planning future reciprocal visits and program expansions.

Marumoto closed the ceremony, noting that the signed originals will be exchanged later by post and that both cities will pursue follow‑up activities to implement the memorandum.

The ceremony record indicates four physical copies were prepared (two Japanese, two English) and that pre‑signed digital files were exchanged during the online signing. No formal vote was required; the signing was carried out as an executive ceremonial action by the two mayors.