LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The City of Lima is welcoming its first student delegation from its sister city of Harima-Cho, Japan, since the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the return of a nearly three-decade international exchange.
The seven-member delegation, including four students, arrived in Lima late Monday night and began Tuesday with tours of Rhodes State College's Borra Center, ArtSpace, the Allen County Museum and several other local attractions.
The visitors also attended Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith's weekly media briefing, where the original sister city proclamation from March 1999 was read.
The seven-member delegation, including four students, arrived in Lima on Tuesday morning.
Each of the students introduced themselves and shared what they have enjoyed or are looking forward to during their stay.
Yu Matsubara said, "I'm enjoying the city of lima. this is very good city thank you for seeing me."
Miku Asada said, "I went to the zoo yesterday and I saw snake."
Aova Yamashita said, "I am looking foward to bbq."
Rin Uematsu said, "I'm looking forward to meet host family."
This is not the first visit to Lima for chaperone Mami Ishikawa, who has accompanied previous student delegations. She said she enjoys seeing how the experience broadens the students' perspectives.
"The students have great experience here. They change their goal and every time they experience their eyes are opened."
Ninety-five-year-old Keiko Hahn, who was instrumental in establishing the sister city relationship between Lima and Harima-Cho, said she is grateful to see the exchange continue nearly 30 years later.
" I'm so happy that hey made it here. I hope they have good time"
The delegation will stay with host families throughout the week before returning to Harima-Cho on Sunday.
