Riverside (the United States)

[ Characteristics ]
Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County, which is located in the center of southern California. The city is located in the west of the county and is about one hour from Los Angeles by car. Riverside is an historic city with a rich citrus heritage. The city's continuing economic growth is apparent in its booming retail and entertainment venues. It is also known as a city of higher education and serves as the research hub of southern California.

[ Population ]
Approximately 320,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
March 9, 1957

 

 Rennes (France)

[ Characteristics ]
Rennes is the capital of Brittany and is its political, economical and cultural center. It is a tranquil city, where medieval and modern architecture coexist in harmony. Rennes is home to many educational establishments and research institutes, and is the center of Brittany 's academic research. Agriculture and fishing are flourishing, along with an increasing trend in food processing that utilizes biotechnology. Research in optical communications is also thriving, and Japanese companies have been opening branches through projects such as "Rennes Atalante", which is a joint project between various companies, universities and governments.

[ Population ]
Approximately 210,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
September 6, 1967

 

 Minsk (Belarus)

*Currently suspending exchange

[ Characteristics ]
Minsk is one of the oldest cities of the former Soviet Union and has been flourishing as a center of commerce and industry since the 15th century. Most of its authentic landscape was destroyed during WWII, but the city regenerated as one of the Soviet's leading industrial cities. Minsk has been the capital of Belarus and its political, cultural, and economical center ever since Belarus gained independence. Industrial manufacturing is especially thriving, with a focus on machinery and metal products.

[ Population ]
Approximately 1,920,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
April 6, 1973

 

 Acapulco (Mexico)

[ Characteristics ]
Acapulco is located on Mexico 's southwest Pacific coast. Acapulco Port is one of the oldest ports on North America 's Pacific coast. The city is known as an international tourist resort city with beautiful beaches and varied coast lines. Many tourists visit this world-famous resort. The Keicho Mission to Europe lead by Hasekura Tsunenaga, a retainer of Date Masamune, sailed across the Pacific Ocean heading towards Spain and Rome and they stopped over at Acapulco Port in 1614.
Through this event, people in Sendai and Acapulco feel a special connection to each other and therefore the statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga was mounted in Acapulco . It has become the symbol of friendship between both cities. Acapulco ’s main industries include oiling and tourism.

[ Population ]
Approximately 810,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
October 23, 1973

 

 Changchun (China)

[ Characteristics ]
Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province and is the region's political, economic, and cultural center. The city's fertile land has encouraged agriculture to flourish within the city, which is also known as " Northeast China 's rice warehouse". The city also boasts a bio-pharmaceutical industry, photoelectron industry, and booming car industry, lead by enterprises such as the Changchun First Automobile Factory. Changying World Plaza , a movie theme park, is located in the suburban area of Changchun and therefore movie business is big in the city. Manchu, Hui, Korean, Mongolian, Xibe, and Zhuang are some of the 46 ethnic groups that live in Changchun .

[ Population ]
Approximately 4,383,000 in central Changchun
(total population approximately 7,489,000)

[ Date of affiliation ]
October 27, 1980

 

 Dallas (the United States)

[ Characteristics ]
Dallas, located in the northern part of Texas, is the leading business, distribution, financial, and manufacturing center in south-central America . It boasts facilities such as the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, and the Dallas Market Center, one of the world’s largest wholesale markets. Dallas is also known to be a top convention city in the United States . Sport is popular in Dallas, and professional American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey teams are based in Dallas.

[ Population ]
Approximately 1,341,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
August 29, 1997

 

 Gwangju(Republic of Korea)

[ Characteristics ]
Gwangju is approximately 330 km south of South Korea's capital, Seoul , and can be reached there in 40 minutes by plane. Gwangju is the political, cultural, and educational center of southwest Korea . It is known as southwest Korea 's center of delicacies, arts and culture. Pansori (traditional narrative singing) originated in Gwangju, and the city is also known as Korea 's center of Namjonghwa (Chinese Southern School style paintings).
The Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival is one of the most famous festivals in the city. In 1995, the city also started the Gwangju Biennale, which is an international arts festival, and is active in spreading Korean arts and culture around the world. Gwangju has also created many industrial complexes and an institute of science and technology, and supports the development and relocation of high-tech industries.

[ Population ]
Approximately 1,470,000

[ Date of affiliation ]
April 20, 2002

 

Sendai's exchange promotion city

 Tainan (Taiwan)

[ Characteristics ]
Tainan is located in the southwest of Taiwan and is the fourth largest city in Taiwan . The city can be reached from Taipei in about one hour and 45 minutes by Taiwan High Speed Rail. Tainan flourishes as a tourist city with a subtropical climate and abundant natural environment. It is the oldest city in Taiwan and is also known as a city rich in history with many historic sites. The city merged with the adjacent Tainan County to form a single municipality on December 25, 2010.

[ Population ]
Approximately 1,886,000

[ Date of Agreement Signed ]
January 20, 2006

 

 Oulu (Finland)

[ Characteristics ]
Oulu is the largest city in Northern Finland and is approximately 600 km north of Finland’s capital, Helsinki . The city transformed from a city famous for salmon and tar into a highly industrialized city. It is now known as one of Europe ’s foremost technopolises. Bio industry and Information-telecommunication companies such as Nokia are in growth by working together with local companies, governments, and universities like Oulu University .

[ Population ]
Approximately 200,000

[ Date of Agreement Signed ]
November 3, 2005

 

Sister cities in Japan

• Taketa city(Oita)(External link)( External link ) Date of Affiliation January 18,1967
• Nakano city(Nagano)(External link) Date of Affiliation January 18,1967
• Tokushima City(Tokushima)( External link ) Date of Affiliation April 15, 1970
• Uwajima city(Ehime)( External link ) Date of Affiliation November 3,1975
• Shiraoi town(Hokkaido)( External link ) Date of Affiliation May 8,1981