To celebrate the third anniversary of the sister city with Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will present the event on Saturday, August 5, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Ken Dyda Civic Center, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes.
Representatives from Sakura City will participate in person, and Mr. Takashi Hanatsuka, Mayor of Sakura City will present video remarks. Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Kenko Sone will provide congratulatory remarks.
Programs include gift exchanges and entertainments of taiko, koto, Japanese folk songs, and more.
Since 2001, more than 300 students from two middle schools in Sakura City have traveled to Rancho Palos Verdes to attend Miraleste Intermediate School, enabling students from both cities to attain a robust cultural understanding and appreciation of both countries.
To ensure that the program continues to strengthen cultural bonds and foster many enduring and deep friendships, on August 4, 2020, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council officially recognized and welcomed Sakura City as a “sister city” during a virtual ceremonial signing event.
The signing ceremony was done through the zoom meetings platform on August 4, 2020, on Pacific Standard time and on August 5, 2020, in Japan Standard Time.