A delegation from Fujinomiya, Japan, visited Santa Monica High School last week as part of the decades-long sister city partnership between the two communities, where they were greeted by local students, treated to a private concert and participated in a traditional gift exchange.
The visiting group toured the campus and engaged with students through direct conversation and musical performances. Organizers said the meaningful cultural exchange has become a hallmark of the relationship between the two cities.
During the ceremony, Santa Monica officials including Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton, Principal Marie Cruce and School Board member Jennifer Smith welcomed the delegation that included Fujinomiya Mayor Hidetada Sudo.
Santa Monica and Fujinomiya, a city in Shizuoka Prefecture famed for its proximity to Mount Fuji, formalized their sister city relationship around 1975. The partnership was part of a broader movement in the mid-1970s to foster international friendship at the city level, with many American communities seeking Japanese sister cities to promote post-war cultural understanding and goodwill.
Over the decades, educational programs have been a cornerstone of the partnership, with student exchange visits allowing youth from each city to experience the other's way of life through homestays and school visits. These exchanges often include language immersion and have created lasting friendships.
Cultural exchanges have also flourished throughout the relationship. Santa Monica has hosted visiting performance troupes and art exhibits from Fujinomiya, showcasing traditional Japanese music, dance and artwork. In turn, delegations from Santa Monica have traveled to Fujinomiya for events like the annual Fujinomiya Autumn Festival.
The cities have exchanged official gifts large and small as well. In the past, Fujinomiya presented Santa Monica with cherry blossom trees that were planted in a local park, while Santa Monica gifted Fujinomiya a piece of public art symbolizing ocean waves, reflecting the coastal character of the California city.
The partnership is sustained by a dedicated Sister City Association and support from both city governments. In Santa Monica, a volunteer committee comprising residents, local officials and nonprofit representatives coordinates activities and keeps the connection vibrant.
According to Sister Cities International, sister city programs offer communities "incredible benefits — from opportunities to travel and build partnerships, to promoting peace through person-to-person interactions."