KAGOSHIMA CITY - JAPAN
Agreement Signed 23 April 1974

On 17 May 1972 Mayor Toshio Sueyoshi visited Perth to explore the prospects of establishing the two-city link. Informal talks were held and Mayor Sueyoshi suggested the exchange of animals as a symbol of mutual goodwill.

During the latter half of 1972, the Council negotiated the exchange of animals as suggested by Mayor Sueyoshi. In June 1973, Perth received Kagoshima's gift of four monkeys, and on 24 July, four kangaroos left Perth for Kagoshima.

In October 1973, a 78-member goodwill mission from the Kagoshima prefecture visited Perth. Among the leaders of the party were Mayor Sueyoshi and five Members of the municipal assembly. On October 30th, Mayor Sueyoshi formally invited the City of Perth to sign a sister city agreement. The details were finalised in discussions between Lord Mayor Lee-Steere, Mayor Sueyoshi, Town Clerk G.O. Edwards and his counterpart, Mr Fumiyoshi Ogata, and on 19 November the full Council agreed to formalise the sister-city affiliation.

The Lord Mayor, Mr Lee-Steere, led a group of Councillors and citizens of Perth during a visit to Kagoshima for the signing of the sister-city agreement, which was formalised on 23 April 1974. Mayor Sueyoshi officially presented the City of Perth with the sister-city documents on 8 May 1974.

During his visit, an exhibition of Kagoshima was held at the Perth Concert Hall. More than 10,000 people visited this display.

Kagoshima City is the capital of Kagoshima prefecture and is the centre of culture, politics and economy for southern Japan. Kagoshima is a picturesque and popular tourist destination, surrounded by mountains on three sides and Kinko Bay on the fourth side.

Across Kinko Bay is Mt Sakurajima, an active volcano, which billows ash and smoke throughout the year. In 1990 it erupted 115 times, however most of these eruptions were only quite small.

Kagoshima City has the 18th largest population among the cities of Japan. It is a modern city and following a restructure in November 2004, now has a population of 600,000 and a total area of 546.85 square kilometres. It is located about 1,500 kilometres from Tokyo.

Kagoshima has a mild climate and agriculture, forestry and fishery are its major industries. Tourism is also an important industry, with many visitors attracted by the grandeur of smoking Mt Sakurajima.

During its 30 year relationship with Kagoshima, the City of Perth has welcomed many Japanese community, educational, cultural and business delegations.

Recent Activities

12 - 15 October 1995: The 20th Anniversary Goodwill Tour, led by Mayor Yoshinori Akasaki, visits Perth.

November 1995: A senior citizen's study tour from Kagoshima visits Perth with assistance from Edwards College.

April 1997: The City of Perth and Underwater World present a gift of five Western Australian Weedy Sea Dragons to the Kagoshima Aquarium.

12 to 15 May 1998: The City of Perth coordinates a trade mission to Japan and China.

4 to 12 August 1999: The 25th Anniversary Celebration Delegation from Kagoshima visits Perth.

February Annually: The Kagoshima Immaculate Heart College student delegation visits Perth. A group of Perth's independent schools (St Norbert's College, Iona Presentation College, Ursula Frayne Catholic College, St Brigid's College and Lumen Christie College) host and annual visit by students from Kagoshima's Immaculate Heart College.

March 2003: The City of Perth joins the Friends of Japan Committee which meets bimonthly to network and develop collaborative projects including the annual Japan Festival held in Perth.

July Annually: The annual Youthwing Exchange student delegation visits Perth. The students are guests of Greenwood Senior High School in Perth.

July Annually: The winners of the nationwide Asahi Nikke English Essay Contest visit Perth.

September 2003: The City of Perth proposes the Kagoshima/Perth Artist Residency Exchange involving a three-month exchange of artists between Kagoshima and Japan.

12 to 13 September 2003: The City of Perth participates in the JETAA (Alumni Association of Japan Exchange Teaching Program) Regional Conference organised by the Consulate General of Japan.

The City of Perth hosted a welcome reception for the winners of the Asahi Nikke Essay Contest and the Youthwing Student Exchange Delegation in July 2004

The City of Perth hosted a welcome reception for the winners of the Asahi Nikke Essay Contest and the Youthwing Student Exchange Delegation in July 2004

24 October to 2 November 2003: The "Heart Art in Perth" exhibition is held at the Perth Town Hall. WA's Craftwest partnered with Heart Art Communication to bring this exhibit to Perth, the first time the exhibition has been held in the Oceania region. A number of highly regarded Japanese art critics and artists attended the exhibition.

26 February 2004: The Lord Mayor hosts a Civic Reception at Council House for the Ambassador of Japan to Australia, Mr Kenzo Oshima.

27 to 31 May 2004: The 30th Kagoshima Sister City Anniversary Delegation visits Perth, led by Mayor Yoshinori Akasaki. A commemorative Ginkgo tree is planted at Council House.

Mayor Akasaki and Mrs Akasaki sign the Lord Mayor’s Visitor’s Book during the 30th anniversary visit to Perth in May 2004

Mayor Akasaki and Mrs Akasaki sign the Lord Mayor’s Visitor’s Book during the 30th anniversary visit to Perth in May 2004

October Annually: The City of Perth hosts the annual Minami Academy iBS student visit to Perth, involving a group of 30 College age students from Kagoshima.

November 2004: A video greeting is provided by the Lord Mayor to the Mayor of Kagoshima City to acknowledge the significant Kagoshima City merger event.

December 2004: Mayor Yoshinori Akasaki retires after a twenty-year term as Mayor of Kagoshima City. Mayor Hiroyuki Mori is elected Mayor of Kagoshima.

February 2005: Kagoshima’s Immaculate Heart College student exchange group visits Perth.

Kagoshima’s Immaculate Heart College student exchange group visits Perth

 

6 to 10 July 2005: 320 students from Kagoshima Kinkowan High School visit Perth for a culture and nature study tour.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Dr Peter Nattrass welcomes Kagoshima Kinkowan High School Deputy

City of Perth Lord Mayor Dr Peter Nattrass welcomes Kagoshima Kinkowan High School Deputy

15 November 2005 - 17 students visit from Minami Academy iBS in Kagoshima

Students visit from Minami Academy iBS in Kagoshima

Students visit from Minami Academy iBS in Kagoshima

 
2 December 2005: Queen’s International Student Services & English School student visit.

15 February 2006: Kagoshima Immaculate Heart College student visit.

17 March 2006: Toyota Kagoshima business delegation visit.

Councillor Max Kay AM Cit WA, Chairman, City of Perth Marketing, Sponsorship and International Relations Committee, represents the Lord Mayor, the Right Honorable Dr Peter Nattrass, to welcome Mr Kensaku Suwa, Managing Director of Toyota L&F Co. Kagoshima.

Councillor Max Kay AM Cit WA, Chairman, City of Perth Marketing, Sponsorship and International Relations Committee, represents the Lord Mayor, the Right Honorable Dr Peter Nattrass, to welcome Mr Kensaku Suwa, Managing Director of Toyota L&F Co. Kagoshima.

30 March 2006: Suifukai Karate School ‘Year of Exchange’ visit.

5 - 7 October 2006: Kagoshima City sister city visit to Perth for the '2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange Japan Pavilion Guest Nation Programme'.

10 November 2006: 22 students Minami Academy iBS Kagoshima visit the City of Perth, hosted by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Michael Sutherland.

22 students Minami Academy iBS Kagoshima visit the City of Perth

1 August 2007: Morning tea reception hosted by the Lord Mayor for 30 guests including Kagoshima Youthwing high school students and representatives from the Perth host school, Greenwood Senior High School.

24 August 2007: As requested by the Department of Education and Training, Councillor Max Kay hosted a delegation from Minato City, Japan, which has introduced study tours to Perth for junior and senior students for the next five years.

18 February 2008: Kagoshima Immaculate Heart College Visit. The group comprises 14 Japanese students and two teachers from the Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima and representatives from their Perth host schools and host families including Iona Presentation College, Ursula Frayne Catholic College, St Brigid’s College, Lumen Christie College and St Norbert’s College.

3 April 2008: Wicked sister City Photojournalist visit to Kagoshima

29 July 2008: Kakogawa/Sanda (Hyogo Prefecture) UWA visit.

29 July 2008: Kagoshima Youthwings student visit. The Youthwings programme, run by Kagoshima City, has been sending young people abroad since 1990. Participants travel to Kagoshima’s sister cities, where they experience first-hand the history, culture and everyday life of another country.

8 October 2008: Higashi Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry visit.

13 October 2008: Australia Japan Joint Business Conference visit opening session speech by Lord Mayor.

13 October 2008: Australia Japan Joint Business Conference morning tea for partners.

2 February 2009 : Student visit hosted by the Lord Mayor, attended by 15 guests for the Minami IBS Academy of Liberal Arts, Kagoshima.

12 March 2009: Immaculate Heart College Kagoshima student visit hosted by the Lord Mayor, attended by 80 guests including 27 Japanese Students and teachers from the Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima and representatives from their Perth host schools and host families including Iona Presentation College, Ursula Frayne Catholic College, St Brigid’s College, Lumen Christie College and St Norbert’s College.

5 to 10 April 2009: Kagoshima sister city visit led by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Ms Lisa Scaffidi to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Kagoshim-Perth sister city relationship.

10-14 November 2009: Kagoshima City return sister city visit to Perth to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Kagoshima-Perth sister city friendship.

10-13 November 2009: Kagoshima Tennis Club Association visits Perth to coincide with official 35th anniversary Kagoshima visit. They participated in a tennis exchange with the Next Generation Club and Royal Kings Park Tennis Club.

7-18 November 2009: Annual Youthwings Student visit from Kagoshima, 8 students from various high schools in Kagoshima participated in an exchange with Mater Dei Catholic College in Perth.

14 Feb – 12 March 2010: Twelve students from Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima visit Perth to participate in their annual exchange with Ursula Frayne Catholic College, Lumen Christie College, St Norbert’s College, St Brigid’s College and Iona Presentation College.

25 March – 30 March 2010: Twenty five members of the Kagoshima Prefectures’ under 17 Representative High School Rugby Team visit Perth to participate in a training program run by Western Force.

17 – 23 April 2010: Ten students from Perth’s Mater Dei College travel to Kagoshima to participate in the annual Youthwings exchange program.

26 July – 2 August 2010: Two english teachers from Kagoshima municipal schools travel to Perth to participate in the first Kagoshima City Teachers Program. The teachers participated in an english teaching program hosted by Phoenix Academy. On the 2nd August the teachers attended a courtesy call at Council House along with the Kagoshima Youthwing students.

24 July – 4 August 2010: The annual Kagoshima Youthwing Student Exchange program takes place with host school Mater Dei College. On the 2nd August the students attend a courtesy call at Council House hosted by The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Ms Lisa Scaffidi.

2 September 2010: Representatives from Kagoshima National College of Technology meet with the City of Perth’s Councillor Janet Davidson to discuss the City of Perth relationship with Kagoshima. Kagoshima National College will be bringing a study tour to Perth in March 2011.

22 November 2010 – Mr Toru Minami and 17 Students from Minami IBS Academy of Language and Liberal Arts visit the Perth for their annual exchange program. The visitors from Kagoshima, Perth International College of English, along with lecturers and students from the Central Institute of Technology attended a courtesy call at Council House hosted by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Ms Lisa Scaffidi.