Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, Celebrate 55th Sister City Anniversary, Sparked by a Junior High School Student's Letter 68 Years Ago
Key facts
- Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, Celebrate 55th Sister City Anniversary, Sparked by a Junior High School Student's Letter 68 Years Ago
- Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, are celebrating their 55th sister city anniversary, a relationship that began with a junior high school student's letter. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of events are being held, including a tree-planting ceremony, online mayoral talks, a lacquer painting donation, international exchange lectures, a product exhibition, flowerbed designs, and a picture book exchange.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 2, 2026
Direct answer
Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, are celebrating their 55th sister city anniversary, a relationship that began with a junior high school student's letter. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of events are being held, including a tree-planting ceremony, online mayoral talks, a lacquer painting donation, international exchange lectures, a product exhibition, flowerbed designs, and a picture book exchange.
- Citation
- Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, Celebrate 55th Sister City Anniversary, Sparked by a Junior High School Student's Letter 68 Years Ago (May 2, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 2, 2026
Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, are celebrating their 55th sister city anniversary, a relationship that began with a junior high school student's letter. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of events are being held, including a tree-planting ceremony, online mayoral talks, a lacquer painting donation, international exchange lectures, a product exhibition, flowerbed designs, and a picture book exchange.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 00:12
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Signing Ceremony for Sister City Affiliation held in 1971
On May 12, 1971 (Showa 46), Matsudo City and Whitehorse City, Australia (formerly Box Hill City), established a sister city affiliation. Since then, they have deepened citizen-to-citizen exchanges in a wide range of fields, including education and culture.
▼ The catalyst for the sister city affiliation was a letter sent by a junior high school student from Matsudo City to the embassy.
In 1958 (Showa 33), Takeko Kobayashi, a student at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School, sent a letter to the Australian Embassy asking for "eucalyptus seeds." The Australian Ambassador kindly responded, and Ms. Kobayashi planted the eucalyptus seeds at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School.
Ms. Kobayashi with eucalyptus trees at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School (Left: 1958, Right: 2026)
Later, in 1960 (Showa 35), the Australian Ambassador visited the school to inspect the grown eucalyptus trees. These exchanges through eucalyptus tree planting activities led to the then Mayor Kiyoshi Matsumoto being impressed by the lush green cityscape of Whitehorse City, Australia (formerly Box Hill City), and the sister city affiliation was established on May 12, 1971 (Showa 46).
Australian Ambassador and Ms. Kobayashi visiting Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School in 1960
▼ Matsudo City and Whitehorse City are holding various projects to commemorate the 55th anniversary of their sister city affiliation.
21st Green Tree Day and Online Meeting of Both Mayors
On May 12, the anniversary of the affiliation, a tree-planting ceremony and an online meeting between both mayors will be held at an elementary school in Matsudo City. The online meeting will also feature a chorus by children and the introduction of a painting to be presented from Matsudo City to Whitehorse City. The details of the day will be published later on the Matsudo City website.
Past Tree Plantings
〈Lacquer Painting "Yozakura (Night Cherry Blossoms)" to be presented from Matsudo City to Whitehorse City〉
Artist: Tsukasa Takeda (lacquer artist, residing in Matsudo City)
Size: 273mm x 242mm (Shikishi board)
Trees are growing in their respective locations in Whitehorse City and Matsudo City. This work expresses that even if the locations are different, the moon they look up at is one, and the feelings of both cities are also one.
Lacquer Painting "Yozakura"
Learn in English! The History of Sister Cities from its Beginning to the Present
A lecture by Mr. Michael Dowd (from Australia), an international exchange coordinator at the Matsudo City International Exchange Association. He will introduce the history of sister cities, the catalyst for the affiliation, and projects carried out in cooperation between both cities in English (Eiken Grade 3 level). Time will also be provided for participants to engage in group discussions in English or Japanese about future exchanges.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Venue: Matsudo City International Friendship Room (Matsudo Building 4F, Matsudo City Cultural Hall, 1307-1 Matsudo, Matsudo City)
Fee: Free
Capacity: First 30 applicants (reservation required)
Application: Matsudo City International Exchange Association, Phone 047-711-9511
Matsudo Tourism Product Exhibition "Ii ne! Matsudo." Australia Special Feature
The product exhibition "Ii ne! Matsudo.", held on the third Saturday of every month, gathers good products from Matsudo. In May, it will be held with an Australian theme! Products and experiences related to Australia, food trucks, and exhibitions will be featured.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Venue: Kitemite Matsudo Plaza Square (1307-1 Matsudo, Matsudo City)
Flowerbed in front of Matsudo City Hall Main Building designed for "55th Sister City Anniversary"!
The flowerbed in front of the Matsudo City Hall Main Building is designed with "55" and "Koala" motifs.
Period: Until Saturday, June 6, 2026
"Koala" design "55" design
Starting an exchange of picture books with Whitehorse City
Five picture books enjoyable for parents and children, aimed at preschoolers and lower elementary school students, will be exchanged annually. This initiative aims to create opportunities for people to feel closer to the sister city through library lending.
Exhibition and Lending Locations:
・Matsudo City (books received from Whitehorse City)
Higashi-Matsudo Community Center *Exhibition starts May 1 (Friday).
Lending starts June 2 (Tuesday)
・Whitehorse City (books received from Matsudo City)
Whitehorse Matsudo Library (within the Arts Centre)
Whitehorse Matsudo Library (within the Arts Centre)
▼ Matsudo City Official Website "55th Sister City Anniversary" Special Page Opened
It features interviews with the Mayor of Whitehorse, Ms. Takeko Kobayashi who initiated the exchange, and dispatched youth sister city members, as well as congratulatory comments from the Whitehorse City Girl Scouts, and details of the commemorative projects.
Matsudo City Official Website "55th Sister City Anniversary" Special Page
https://www.city.matsudo.chiba.jp/InternationalPortal/en/sistercityWhitehorse/AnniversaryEvents/55th.html
Whitehorse City Official Website "Siste
On May 12, 1971 (Showa 46), Matsudo City and Whitehorse City, Australia (formerly Box Hill City), established a sister city affiliation. Since then, they have deepened citizen-to-citizen exchanges in a wide range of fields, including education and culture.
▼ The catalyst for the sister city affiliation was a letter sent by a junior high school student from Matsudo City to the embassy.
In 1958 (Showa 33), Takeko Kobayashi, a student at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School, sent a letter to the Australian Embassy asking for "eucalyptus seeds." The Australian Ambassador kindly responded, and Ms. Kobayashi planted the eucalyptus seeds at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School.
Ms. Kobayashi with eucalyptus trees at Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School (Left: 1958, Right: 2026)
Later, in 1960 (Showa 35), the Australian Ambassador visited the school to inspect the grown eucalyptus trees. These exchanges through eucalyptus tree planting activities led to the then Mayor Kiyoshi Matsumoto being impressed by the lush green cityscape of Whitehorse City, Australia (formerly Box Hill City), and the sister city affiliation was established on May 12, 1971 (Showa 46).
Australian Ambassador and Ms. Kobayashi visiting Matsudo Municipal Fifth Junior High School in 1960
▼ Matsudo City and Whitehorse City are holding various projects to commemorate the 55th anniversary of their sister city affiliation.
21st Green Tree Day and Online Meeting of Both Mayors
On May 12, the anniversary of the affiliation, a tree-planting ceremony and an online meeting between both mayors will be held at an elementary school in Matsudo City. The online meeting will also feature a chorus by children and the introduction of a painting to be presented from Matsudo City to Whitehorse City. The details of the day will be published later on the Matsudo City website.
Past Tree Plantings
〈Lacquer Painting "Yozakura (Night Cherry Blossoms)" to be presented from Matsudo City to Whitehorse City〉
Artist: Tsukasa Takeda (lacquer artist, residing in Matsudo City)
Size: 273mm x 242mm (Shikishi board)
Trees are growing in their respective locations in Whitehorse City and Matsudo City. This work expresses that even if the locations are different, the moon they look up at is one, and the feelings of both cities are also one.
Lacquer Painting "Yozakura"
Learn in English! The History of Sister Cities from its Beginning to the Present
A lecture by Mr. Michael Dowd (from Australia), an international exchange coordinator at the Matsudo City International Exchange Association. He will introduce the history of sister cities, the catalyst for the affiliation, and projects carried out in cooperation between both cities in English (Eiken Grade 3 level). Time will also be provided for participants to engage in group discussions in English or Japanese about future exchanges.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Venue: Matsudo City International Friendship Room (Matsudo Building 4F, Matsudo City Cultural Hall, 1307-1 Matsudo, Matsudo City)
Fee: Free
Capacity: First 30 applicants (reservation required)
Application: Matsudo City International Exchange Association, Phone 047-711-9511
Matsudo Tourism Product Exhibition "Ii ne! Matsudo." Australia Special Feature
The product exhibition "Ii ne! Matsudo.", held on the third Saturday of every month, gathers good products from Matsudo. In May, it will be held with an Australian theme! Products and experiences related to Australia, food trucks, and exhibitions will be featured.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Venue: Kitemite Matsudo Plaza Square (1307-1 Matsudo, Matsudo City)
Flowerbed in front of Matsudo City Hall Main Building designed for "55th Sister City Anniversary"!
The flowerbed in front of the Matsudo City Hall Main Building is designed with "55" and "Koala" motifs.
Period: Until Saturday, June 6, 2026
"Koala" design "55" design
Starting an exchange of picture books with Whitehorse City
Five picture books enjoyable for parents and children, aimed at preschoolers and lower elementary school students, will be exchanged annually. This initiative aims to create opportunities for people to feel closer to the sister city through library lending.
Exhibition and Lending Locations:
・Matsudo City (books received from Whitehorse City)
Higashi-Matsudo Community Center *Exhibition starts May 1 (Friday).
Lending starts June 2 (Tuesday)
・Whitehorse City (books received from Matsudo City)
Whitehorse Matsudo Library (within the Arts Centre)
Whitehorse Matsudo Library (within the Arts Centre)
▼ Matsudo City Official Website "55th Sister City Anniversary" Special Page Opened
It features interviews with the Mayor of Whitehorse, Ms. Takeko Kobayashi who initiated the exchange, and dispatched youth sister city members, as well as congratulatory comments from the Whitehorse City Girl Scouts, and details of the commemorative projects.
Matsudo City Official Website "55th Sister City Anniversary" Special Page
https://www.city.matsudo.chiba.jp/InternationalPortal/en/sistercityWhitehorse/AnniversaryEvents/55th.html
Whitehorse City Official Website "Siste
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, are celebrating their 55th sister city anniversary, a relationship that began with a junior high school student's letter. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of events are being held, including a tree-planting ceremony, online mayoral talks, a lacquer painting donation, international exchange lectures, a product exhibition, flowerbed designs, and a picture book exchange.
What is the direct answer?
Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, and Whitehorse City, Australia, are celebrating their 55th sister city anniversary, a relationship that began with a junior high school student's letter. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of events are being held, including a tree-planting ceremony, online mayoral talks, a lacquer painting donation, international exchange lectures, a product exhibition, flowerbed designs, and a picture book exchange.
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000590.000015010.html | May 2, 2026