【Minato City, Tokyo】Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association to Sign Basic Agreement on Exchange with Friendly Shopping District Cities with Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture, and Anan City Tourism Association on July 19

Minato City, together with the Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association, Anan City in Tokushima Prefecture, and the Anan City Tourism Association, will sign a 'Basic Agreement on Exchange with Friendly Shopping District Cities.' This agreement builds upon the ongoing exchange between the Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association and Anan City, Tokushima Prefecture, which began in fiscal year 2016, aiming to further deepen mutual trust and strengthen collaboration.

Overview of the Agreement Signing Ceremony

1. Name of the Agreement

Basic Agreement on Exchange with Friendly Shopping District Cities

2. Signatory Organizations

Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association, Anan City, and Anan City Tourism Association

3. Date and Venue

Date and Time: July 19, 2026 (Sun) 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM

Venue: Shinsho Community Collaboration Space (4th floor, Shinsho Hot Plaza, 6-9-5 Shirokane)

Attendees: Manabu Kiyoka, Mayor of Minato City; Nobuhiro Sato, President of Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association;

Yoshihiro Iwasaki, Mayor of Anan City; Isao Kanematsu, President of Anan City Tourism Association

※ On the same day, the '15th Shirokane Awa Odori' event will be held by the Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association. The signing ceremony will take place prior to the opening of the 15th Shirokane Awa Odori.

Past Exchanges

Minato City's exchange with Anan City began in fiscal year 2016, initiated by the annual 'Shirokane Awa Odori' event hosted by the Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association, leveraging Anan City's status as part of Tokushima Prefecture—the birthplace of Awa Odori. Since then, exchanges have expanded through participation in events such as the 'Minato Citizens' Festival' and the 'National Exchange Products Exhibition,' fostering strong regional ties.

Additionally, Anan City-produced rice has been used in school lunches at public elementary and junior high schools within the ward. Workshops using bamboo and Awa Odori exercise classes have been conducted for students at Shirokane no Oka Gakuen Shirokane no Oka Elementary and Junior High School. Furthermore, a local Awa Odori group—comprising dancers and musicians—has been formed primarily by students from these schools, deepening collaboration in education and culture.

On the other hand, Minato City has also actively participated in Anan City's 'Anan Katsutake Festival,' setting up PR booths for the ward and the Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association, maintaining robust two-way exchanges.

With the signing of this agreement, building upon past exchanges, the collaboration will be further expanded into diverse areas, including event exchanges, local product promotion, tourism development, and mutual disaster support.

▲ 'Anan City Garage Products Exhibition' hosted by Anan City and the Tokyo-Anan Home Town Association at Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District

▲ Minato City and Shirokane Kitazato-dori Shopping District Association's PR booth at the annual 'Anan Katsutake Festival' in Anan City