高岡市
Takaoka
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A project of the 1976 Fort Wayne Bi-Centennial Commission, the two cities began exchanges that have continued for nearly 30 years and often comprised scores of travelers. Large delegations from Fort Wayne have gone to visit the beautiful Japanese city on the shores of the Sea of Japan, and hundreds of Takaokans have come to Fort Wayne to study, to teach and to delve into American culture.
Special thanks goes to Fort Wayne Mayors Robert Armstrong, Winfield Moses and Paul Helmke for their strong endorsement and participation in the program. Over the past 30 years the mayors of Takaoka have also greatly appreciated and supported the tie with their business, governmental and civic friends in America.
In Fort Wayne many dedicated volunteers have worked to build closer ties with Takaoka – Mary Ball Brant, Howard Chapman, Gabe DeLobbe, Ladonna Huntley, and Dan Yamanaka should be singled out as having given significantly of their time and effort to foster this relationship.
In Fort Wayne many dedicated volunteers have worked to build closer ties with Takaoka – Mary Ball Brant, Howard Chapman, Gabe DeLobbe, Ladonna Huntley, and Dan Yamanaka should be singled out as having given significantly of their time and effort to foster this relationship.
Takaoka Media
Exclusive JapanInFortWayne.com Story
Origins of the Fort Wayne Sister City Committee
written by Howard L. Chapman
Four Fort Wayne High schools have also established sister school relationships in Takaoka.
Thanks to the Chapman Fund in Fort Wayne and the Koshimae Program in Japan, a group of students travel each year between the two countries to have the experience of a lifetime. But the exchanges between Fort Wayne and Takaoka have been much more extensive, including a gift from Takaoka of a Japanese friendship garden, the exchange of other cultural gifts, and hundreds of human exchanges.
Members of society in almost every field, occupation and standing have traveled between the two countries exchanging ideas and building understanding. The program has truly been a model for international understanding and cooperation.
Thanks to the Chapman Fund in Fort Wayne and the Koshimae Program in Japan, a group of students travel each year between the two countries to have the experience of a lifetime. But the exchanges between Fort Wayne and Takaoka have been much more extensive, including a gift from Takaoka of a Japanese friendship garden, the exchange of other cultural gifts, and hundreds of human exchanges.
Members of society in almost every field, occupation and standing have traveled between the two countries exchanging ideas and building understanding. The program has truly been a model for international understanding and cooperation.
"In 1975 I was visiting my brother Bruce in Seattle, Washington. At that time, he was a member of the City Council there, and gave me a city tour. During the tour, I noticed a large replica of a Japanese shrine. Bruce told me that it was a gift from Seattle's sister city, Kobe, Japan. He asked me if Fort Wayne had a sister city, and I told him I didn't know. He suggested that, if not, then it would be a good 'Bicentennial project' for Fort Wayne to find a sister city...
...That is how it all got started."
