Spring water bubbles from the ground at the headwaters of the Kakita River. Its stunning clarity and replenishment are startling. Protected and surrounded by the Kakita River Park in Japan managed by the local government of Shimizu, the Kakitagawa spring and the 1.2-kilometre Kakita River is an unparalleled focus of pride for our sister city.
Forty kilometres northwest, Mount Fuji’s iconic cone rises from the landscape. Snow and rain fall on Fuji and take a 25-year underground journey before percolating to the surface at Kakitagawa.
My gracious hosts, Azusa, Yuta and Yoshio from Shumizu Town Industry and Tourism Division, and the onsite manager tour me through the regional water plant, a state-of-the-art facility that provides drinking water to the bulk of the region’s 200,000-plus people. I dip a small copper cup into a natural fountain and take enthusiastic gulps; a gift from Mount Fuji.
The facility also boasts three micro-generation projects (wind, photovoltaic and waterwheel), developed as educational tools. A volcano-inspired aquifer and a conscientiousness for climate change and renewable energy are not the only things we have in common with our sister city Shimizu.
The concept of sister cities was developed in a post World War II effort to foster peace and reconciliation through cultural and educational exchanges. But what does the idea of a sister city mean in the 21st century?
Sister city relationships can generate strategic economic development and there are a multitude of successful examples. We have yet to really tap into this potential but we did host a delegation from a Shimizu wasabi products manufacturer in February, and this exploration continues.
But perhaps the most potent benefit of a sister city relationship is the development of social capital through educational opportunities for our youth.
“We do this for our young people,” the mayor of Shimizu said to me last week. “We want to provide opportunities for our youth to learn and explore and become international citizens. This is invaluable.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Since 2003, when we officially became sister cities, Shimizu has sent almost 200 students to Squamish. We in turn have sent a handful. And this is something I’d like to rectify.
I’m hoping to pull together a student delegation to Shimizu possibly during spring break of 2018. If you are interested in helping organize, fundraise, support or participate in this endeavour, please contact my office.
And if you are a junior high, high school or Quest University student, and looking for a spring break adventure, start fundraising and brush up on your Japanese as well as your chopstick and karaoke skills.
And if you see students from Shimizu here this August, please extend a heartfelt Squamish… Konichiwa!
