Politics & Government
Japanese Mayor Visits Wyandotte, Honors 50-Year Tradition
Every five years residents of Komaki, Aichi Japan visit Wyandotte to take in the sites and eat at local restaurants.
Wyandotte officials including Mayor Peterson attended a ceremony Friday dedicating a red maple tree near City Hall to celebrate 50 years of visits from residents of sister city Komaki, Aichi Japan.
Komaki Mayor Shizuo Yamashita spoke on behalf of himself and his fellow visitors during the ceremony. Yamashita thanked the mayor for inviting them to Wyandotte.
"My father visited this city before, a good while ago--about 20 years ago," Yamashita said with the help of a translator. "He wanted to come too, but unfortunately was not able to make it."
Visitors were recruited through advertisements in Komaki. Many applied and several were selected by Komaki officials to make the journey to visit local landmarks and municipalities. Some ate at Joe's Hamburgers, where Yamashita asked Peterson if he could try on his suit jacket.
Residents of Komaki have visited Wyandotte every five years for the past 50 years.
A plaque beneath the tree reads:
Celebrating 50 Years of sister cities cooperation between Komaki, Aichi Japan and and Wyandotte, Michigan U.S.A. August 9, 2013
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