Strengthening the Bond Between Sakai City and Shinagawa Ward: A Cultural Showcase

On May 28 and 29, Kyoko Morisawa, the mayor of Shinagawa Ward in Tokyo, undertook an official visit to Sakai City in Fukui Prefecture, a sister city since 2015. This visit focused on key tourist spots such as Tojinbo and Maruoka Castle, emphasizing the growing relationship between the two regions. Morisawa's visit marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a current mayor from Shinagawa Ward has officially visited Sakai City.

During her stay, Morisawa expressed her admiration for Sakai City, stating, "I have come to appreciate how wonderful Sakai is firsthand. I want to explore further initiatives that promote collaboration between citizens of both our cities." Her remarks highlight the commitment to deepen the partnership, which has been ongoing for over ten years, including the establishment of an antenna shop in Togoshi Ginza shopping district in 2016.

Notably, Shinagawa Ward, located in the southern part of Tokyo—boasting over 415,000 residents—has been actively engaged in cultural exchange projects with Sakai City. Accompanied by Deputy Mayor Akira Horikoshi and several officials, Morisawa visited multiple sites, including the famous Takeda area known for its fried tofu and various cultural heritage sites like the Ryuusho Museum known for its distinct maritime history rooted in the Northern frontiers of Japan.

Exploring New Living and Working Trends

During a press conference held on May 29, following her tour, Morisawa elaborated on her impressions, highlighting Sakai's abundance of natural beauty, culinary delights, and cultural richness—elements not typically found in urban areas like Shinagawa. She reflected on the lush rural landscapes that inspired thoughts on addressing issues stemming from rice shortages, linking the experiences back to urban life.

Additionally, Morisawa noted the mutual historical developments of both regions, stating, "While Shinagawa developed as a port and a post town during the Edo period, Sakai's intertwining maritime culture, as explored at the Ryuusho Museum, offers a distinct contrast that adds to our understanding of Japan's rich history." This exchange of knowledge and culture signals an era of collaborative growth.

Plans for further cultural engagement are already in the works, including an expansive product exhibition set to take place in Shinagawa Ward this coming autumn, as stated by Sakai City's Mayor Yoshitaka Ikeda. With the recent operational launch of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo and Fukui in under three hours, Morisawa also discussed innovative concepts like dual-residency arrangements and workation systems that could emerge from this strengthened partnership as both cities aim to innovate their mutual cooperation.

A Glimpse into the History of Sakai and Shinagawa’s Collaboration

The relationship between Sakai City and Shinagawa Ward has been thriving since 2015 with several key milestones:

- 2015: The nationwide special project for special wards initiated exchanges through a crab event at Shinagawa Aquarium and family tours to Sakai.
- 2016: An antenna shop representing Sakai City opened in Togoshi Ginza shopping street.
- 2017: A showcase of local culture, including a procession called 'Obi no Machi NAGASHI'.
- 2019: The signing of the Sakai and Shinagawa partnership agreement focused on regional revitalization and mutual cooperation during disasters.
- 2022: Introduction of Sakai rice into the school lunches of Shinagawa's elementary schools.
- 2024: The antenna shop is set to undergo a relocation and renewal, alongside the inception of 'Shinagawa My Rice Field' in Sakai Town, establishing even deeper roots in community engagement.

As both cities continue to innovate and connect, their collaboration showcases the potential for cultural, economic, and social growth, benefitting not only their residents but the broader community as well.