Torrance

■■■2023 Torrance Delegation Kashiwa Youths Return Report ■■■
Students (high school and university students) who visited the sister city, Torrance, U.S.A. this year will share their valuable experiences with accompanying video.

Date & Time: Sunday, November 19, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Registration from 1:30 p.m.)
Place: Palette Kashiwa Open Space
Registration: Not required, please come directly to the venue on the day.

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Torrance 50th anniversary video (digest version)'2023

【Torrance 50th Anniversary Video (Full Version)】>>>

Citizens' Delegation Tour to Torrance to Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Sister City Affiliation (2/16-2/23)

A total of 44 Kashiwa citizens, including Mayor Kazumi Ota, City Council Chair, Mr. Norihito Tsumuraya, city officials, and some of the members of the Kashiwa International Relations Association, visited Torrance in California on February16 to 23. The visitors received a hearty welcome from Mayor George Chen of Torrance, as well as Torrance Sister City Association members, and many other citizens.

At the welcoming ceremony in front of the City Hall, many city employees welcomed us by waving the small national flags of Japan and the U.S., and the Torrance citizen's chorus sang the national anthems of the two countries. They made us feel deeply grateful for the peace relationship. As was customary, a commemorative cherry tree planting was held on the City Hall grounds. At the Torrance Art Museum, a special exhibition by Japanese and Japanese American artists was being held to celebrate our 50th anniversary. At Torrance North High School, which is the sister school of Kashiwa Municipal High School, the students also sang the national anthems of both countries for us. At lunch time, we enjoyed conversations in Japanese with the high school students who were taking Japanese language classes. After lunch, they gave us a school tour of their large campus, where 1, 800 students study. That evening, the delegation was divided into two groups: the Mayor's Dinner group and the Home Visit group. At the home visit, the visitors made new friendships with the newly acquainted families. At the picnic in Wilson Park, all of us wore the yellow sister city T-shirts and renewed old friendships. There was even a reunion of a former Kashiwa exchange student and his Torrance host family member, who had not seen each other in decades. On the last day, the Sayonara Banquet featured the 50th anniversary signing by the two mayors, and we paid tribute to Mikko Haggott Henson, who passed away last year and was instrumental in the establishment of the sister city agreement. We pledged to further strengthen the ties between the two cities. A delegation from Torrance is scheduled to visit Kashiwa this October.

Torrance Mission Visits Kashiwa (10/5-10/9)

A delegation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Torrance arrived in Kashiwa on October 5th and stayed until the 9th. Mayor Chen and his wife, all city council members, and 43 people from sister cities. On the 6th, they visited City Hall for a welcome ceremony. When we got off the bus at the main entrance, city hall staff, sister city officials, and citizens were waiting for us, waving American flags and Japanese flags in their hands and giving us a grand welcome. A welcome ceremony was held in the plaza behind City Hall with the participation of many Kashiwa residents. After the national anthems of Japan and the United States were played and greetings were given by both mayors, Mayor Ota presented 50th anniversary T-shirts to all visiting delegates. Afterwards, we toured Smart City Kashiwa-no-ha, took a self-driving bus to the University of Tokyo, and enjoyed lunch at the campus buffet.
In the afternoon, they visited the city council and watched as the resolution to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship and pray for the continuation of the sister city relationship was adopted and passed unanimously.
They enjoyed a brass band performance at Municipal Kashiwa High School, and in the evening a welcome party was held at the Crest Hotel where the delegation was staying.
The next day, a commemorative tree planting was held at Furusato Park. Afterwards, he walked with Mayor Ota along Torrance Street in Kitakashiwa, and the idea that he had proposed was met with cheers. At the adjacent Furusato Park, the children participated in the Warabi Nursery School's sports day, enjoyed singing by the Kashiwa Boys and Girls Choir, participated in the Yosakoi Senjin dance, and enjoyed the Kitakashiwa Town Association's marche. In the afternoon there is a home visit. The 43-person delegation was divided into groups of two to three people and invited to the homes of ordinary citizens for lunch. We visited Torrance in February, experienced a home visit, became friends with people, and asked to accept us in return, which was a great help. It seems that the people of Torrance also enjoyed spending time with their families. At night, we split up into small groups and went to pubs and other places frequented by ordinary people. I enjoyed the yakitori and yakiniku.
On the 8th, we took a bus to Tokyo Tower and Asakusa, and in the evening we had a farewell party. Many past students and host families came to say goodbye. There were a variety of people returning to Japan the next day, including those who headed directly to Narita, those who went sightseeing in Japan such as Kyoto and Kanazawa, and those who traveled to South Korea.
We were very happy that the welcome ceremony was held in an open space for the first time, and that the general public also participated. Furthermore, during our visit to Torrance Street in Kitakashiwa, we not only received the cooperation of various organizations, but also the general public, and we were very happy to see that we were able to further expand this new circle of international exchange.
When I visited Torrance from Kashiwa in February, I received heartfelt and warm hospitality from Mayor Chen and everyone else. We were worried about whether we would be able to provide the same kind of feedback when everyone came to Kashiwa, but I think they were happy with the preparations we made online, our own ingenuity, and our heartfelt hospitality. Mayor Ota's active participation in the event, Chairman Kosuge's enthusiasm, the cooperation of the general public, and the efforts of the Torrance Committee members served as the driving force for a new friendship.

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Welcome Party speech

Torrance Mayor Chen
Donna TSCA Chairman
Mayor of Kashiwa Ota
Kosuge KIRA Chairman

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Footsteps of Sister City Activities（SINCE 1973)

In the Beginning

Ｉn June of 1970, Kashiwa Lions Club, in the process of their discussion about a sister club relationship, suggested that Kashiwa City establish sister city relations with a city in the USA to provide opportunities to learn about different cultures. Torrance, California, was introduced and in November of 1971, at the Pacific Asia City Conference held in Hawaii，the mayors of both cities exchanged opinions about a sister city relationship.

In January of 1972, Torrance City offered to formalize sister city ties. It was agreed to by the Kashiwa City Council in January, 1973. On February 20, 1973, the affiliation became official, with both mayors signing the agreement documents in Torrance.

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Special Exchange Projects

The Student Exchange Program

Since 1974 the student exchange program has promoted friendly relations between the two cities, and Provided opportunities to learn about different cultures. Students of both cities visit for 3 weeks over summer vacation. They stay with host families and participate in various activities.
　

Grass-roots Exchange Friendship

Every five years since the affiliation, Anniversary Delegations visit each city. In addition, grassroots exchanges between citizens of the two cities through culture and sports have formed true friendships.
　

English Teachers From Torrance

Kashiwa has been inviting English teachers from Torrance since 1979. They teach English at Kashiwa Municipal High School as well as at community centers for local citizens.

Affiliation of Sister Schools

Kashiwa Daiichi Elementary School = Arnold School (Carl Steele School. at the time of affiliation)
Asahi Elementary School = John Adams School
Sakaine Elementary School = Arlington School
Kashiwa Municipal High School = North High School

Recognition

A broad range of sistre city activities in both cities is highly respected in both countries. They have received various prizes, including the best general plan prize, at the sister cities International conference held annually in the U.S.A. 　

Sister City News

Torrance Sister City Association

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Basic information

Location

Torrance is located 17 miles south of Los Angeles, in California State, U.S.A. It is within driving distance of many famous Los Angels attractions and landmarks.　

Population

Population: Approx. 140,000. Torrance is home to many Japanese corporations. The census of 2000 shows that Japanese exceed 10% of the city population. Torrance is the center of the Japanese community in South California.　

Area

Area: 21 sq. miles (54 sq. km). Torrance is the 12ｔｈ largest in California.

Climate

Warm and cofortable temperature throughout the year. Cool and dry in summer and almost no rain from May to November.　

History

Torrance was incorporated in 1921. It was named “Torrance City” after Mr.Jared Sydney Torrance who contributed to the founding of the city. Following his vision, Citizens have formed a stable and pleasant community where the financial, political, residential as well as industrial and commercial segments of society are well-balanced. The city is zoned for industrial, commercial and residential development under long-range city plans. In 1956, Torrance was chosen as an “All American City” for its balanced development.　

Education・Industries

Torrance schools are noted for their academic excellence and are included on the annual list of California Exemplary Schools. The industrial community occupies one fourth of the city. It has more than 400 corporations including headquarters for major employers such as Douglas, Hughes, American Honda, Toyota and many Japanese corporations. Oriental Motor USA corp, which has a branch in Kashiwa, is one of them. In addition, Torrance is a commercial center for southern Los Angeles having large shopping centers.

Access

Torrance is a 30 minute drive from LAX on the San Diego Freeway. The Torrance Transit Bus System is also available.

Hotels

Torrance has big hotels such as the Hilton, Marriott, etc.

Time Difference

It is 17 hours behind Japan time. In summer, it is 16 hours behind by daylight saving time.　

Drinking water

Running water is fine to drink.　

Voltage

110V

Attractions

Torrance is a perfect location to enjoy a pleasant year-round climate on the west coast. Though Torrance doesn’t have a so-called tourist spot, it has parks and the beach to enjoy sports as well as world-class shopping venues. Torrance is located within driving distance of many famous attractions and landmarks in Los Angels, such as Disneyland. Torrance has many Japanese restaurants because many Japanese corporations have their base there. The main transportation is automobiles. Though public bus service is available, it is limited.　

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