Reception to welcome Japanese sister city delegation scheduled for May 6

(COLUMBIA, MO) - The public is invited to a reception Monday, May 6 from 6 to 7 p.m. at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, to welcome a delegation from Columbia’s sister city, Hakusan, Japan, and celebrate the more than 30-year relationship between Hakusan and Columbia.

Events will include an official welcome and introduction of the Hakusan delegation, a reaffirmation of the sister city agreement and an exchange of gifts. The reception will be held in Council Chambers with refreshments served following in Conference Room 1A/1B.

Columbia and Matto City, Japan became sister cities on March 7, 1988. The city of Hakusan was created in 2005 when several smaller communities merged with Matto City. The last delegation visit to Columbia was in 2013 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of becoming sister cities. The delegation is looking forward to reaffirming the agreement between the two cities to build upon more than 30 years of friendship.