Bellefontaine’s sister city, Suzuka, Japan, marked a milestone in its history last week, and local representatives were on hand to lend support from our community and to assist with the festivities.
Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler and his wife, Sara, traveled to Japan Tuesday, Nov. 29, to arrive in the city in time for Suzuka’s 80th year celebration Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2.
“It was a power-packed agenda over two days of activities, and a very special time for their city; we were very honored to be a part of it and to extended our congratulations from Bellefontaine,” Mayor Stahler said Monday, after his arrival back home.
“They are very grateful and very warm people, and it was wonderful to celebrate with them. We have been part of the sister cities now for 32 years.”
At an 80th year ceremony in Suzuka, the Bellefontaine mayor was invited to speak, with the aid of a translator, at a large performing arts center, alongside other public officials.
He also was joined by the vice mayor of Suzuka’s second sister city, Le Mans, France.
“They had a grand celebration commemorating 80 years since 1942, when 13 neighboring villages consolidated during World War II to form one city. Suzuka is about the size of Logan County, and now their population is around 200,000 people.
“Our sister city has a very interesting past, present and future.”
Day one also included joining Suzuka Mayor Noriko Suematsu in her office. After a luncheon, they toured the prestigious Suzuka Circuit race area.
Thursday came to a close with a formal dinner involving dignitaries from Suzuka, where Mrs. Stahler was able to present a special quilt that she designed and created to Suzuka Mayor Suematsu.
The quilt is a wall hanging and features a pineapple — the international symbol of welcome, friendship and prosperity. Mrs. Stahler also created a second pineapple quilt, which is now on display in Mr. Stahler’s office.
On the second day of the trip, Mr. and Mrs. Stahler had the chance to travel with the Suzuka contingent south on the Shinkansen to the Shima Peninsula, where are the G7 summit was conducted with various world leaders in 2016.
The end of the two-day trip culminated with a meaningful program and farewell dinner with the International Friendship Center, students and friends who continue to make the sister city exchange possible.
Since the sister city pact was forged, the cultural exchange has involved youths from Logan County traveling to Suzuka, and then in alternating years, students from Suzuka visiting Bellefontaine and Logan County.
While the travel has not taken place since 2020 because of COVID-19 restrictions, the visits have taken place virtually with youths via Zoom to keep building relationships and connections, the mayor said.
“It has been really neat to get to know the Suzuka students. One young man I got to know as a student in 2015 now will be visiting the United States again, and he speaks very good English.”
Travel through the cultural exchange is set to resume this summer, with Logan County students to trekking to Japan in 2023. Then the following year, Japanese students will visit Logan County.
In 1992, Mayor Stahler said he and Mrs. Stahler went on the first trip to Suzuka with local exchange students, as he was a Bellefontaine City Council member at that time. Their trip last week was his fourth visit to the Japanese city.
“We’re indeed richly blessed with this continued connection with our sister city,” he said.