Saipan to host signing ritual for Japanese city agreement

The Saipan Mayor’s Office will be welcoming next week a 33-member delegation of officials and business leaders from Noboribetsu City, Japan, for the signing of an amicable sister city agreement between the island and Japanese city.

According to mayor’s consultant William Torres, the delegation would spend five days on Saipan for business and cultural exchanges with the CNMI.

To ensure the success of the visit, the Saipan Mayor’s Office is now collaborating with the Governor’s Office, members of the Saipan Municipal Council, the Legislature, members of the Cabinet and other prominent business leaders such as businessman Manuel “Kiyu” Villagomez.

Noboribetsu Mayor Akira Ueno will be leading the Japanese contingent that will include government officials and business executives and media representatives from Japan.

“Mayor Ueno’s official visit to Saipan will allow the mayors to personally participate in the official ceremony and reception in commemoration of the signing of the Saipan-Noboribetsu City Amicable City Agreement set for the evening following the arrival of the delegation on Saipan,” said the Mayor’s Office.

While on Saipan, the Noboribetsu City delegates will conduct pilgrimage visits to memorial sites on the island, including sightseeing tours.

“The visiting group also plans to avail of Saipan’s flagship golf courses at LaoLao, Coral Ocean Point and King Fisher,” said Torres, adding that a Sayonara party will be held before the group leaves the island.

Last year, Mayor Juan B. Tudela flew to Japan together with members of the Municipal Council of Saipan to participate in the Aizu Wakamatsu City and Saipan Amicable City Agreement ceremony. The Wakamatsu City through Mayor Ichiro Kanke hosted the event last year.