LIMA, OHIO (WLIO) - A delegation from Harima-cho, Japan is visiting Lima to learn more about its sister city. The group from Harima-cho include the deputy mayor, a member of the board of education and the deputy chief of Collaboration Promotion for the Japanese city. Monday morning, Mayor Sharetta Smith shared gifts with the delegates, before taking a tour of ArtSpace Lima. They also visited the Ford Engine Plant, looked at the downtown revitalization and stopped at Kewpee before they attended the Lima City Council Meeting. Smith went to Japan last year and she says she wants to show the group what is similar between the two cities.
“Just because people live on the other side of the world, doesn’t mean they are much different. On our trip to Japan, we were able to have some conversations about specifically how a small town can bounce back when they lose jobs do to heavy manufacturing leaving their community. Something similar happened in Harima-cho, Japan. We were able to talk about some of the best practices, exchange ideas and solutions on how to keep your city going when that happens,” says Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith.
Besides the city officials, the Lima Sister City Association says local students have benefited from the cultural exchange between the two cities.
Lima Sister Cities Association will be holding a dinner Tuesday night to celebrate the 25 years association with Harima-cho.
“These trips that we have put on have allowed children, and the youth to change their outlook on life and even change school majors and everything. Because they have learned that I wanted to do foreign activities, I want to teach English across the world. And I have seen it first hand where students have changed their major and moved oversees, found love, started families, and change their whole life,” says Matthew Neeley, President of the Lima Sister Cities Association.
Lima Sister Cities Association will be holding a dinner Tuesday night to celebrate the 25 years association with Harima-cho.
