GOODWILL Partnership COMMUNITY
The Bloomington-Normal/Asahikawa Sister Cities Committee is a commission of up to twenty citizens appointed by either the City of Bloomington or the Town of Normal council. Since 1962, the committee has served as ambassadors of Japanese culture in Bloomington-Normal while facilitating friendship with our sister city, Asahikawa, Japan.
Our Mission
The committee's mission is to promote friendship and goodwill between the cities of Bloomington-Normal and Asahikawa, Japan through our premier junior high and high school exchange programs. These short-term and long-term exchange programs introduce both American and Japanese students to different ways of life and work towards cultivating their understanding and appreciation of other cultures.
Our Story
The Sister Cities program was originally conceived as part of President Eisenhower's People to People program. The affiliation between Bloomington and Asahikawa, Japan came about through the personal efforts of Alvin Keller. In 1960, as Director of Finance for the City of Bloomington, he sent copies of a brochure ("Bloomington Progress Report 1960") to cities around the world, and in an accompanying letter requested similar materials in return.
A letter received in December 1960 by Mayor Robert McGraw from Mayor Yosokici Maeno of Asahikawa said, in part, "It is our honor to have received a letter and brochure which introduces your city and its municipal operation. We have also been looking forward to learn various status of cities. . .in foreign countries. We have even more studies to select a suitable city in the United States who wishes to become a sister city with us."
That letter resulted in regular communication between leaders of the two cities, and on March 26, 1962, the Sister Cities affiliation between Bloomington and Asahikawa was formally proclaimed by Mayor McGraw and the city council.
Mayor Maeno and the Asahikawa City Council did the same on October 11, 1962. In March 1964, Bloomington resident, Ned Cicciu, was appointed chairperson and five other citizens, including Alvin Keller were asked to serve on the newly-created Sister Cities Committee.
In 1962, Judy Stern (now former Mayor Judy Markowitz) visited Asahikawa, becoming the first person from Bloomington to officially visit Asahikawa. While in Asahikawa she served as the "Goodwill Emissary".
On April 7, 1980, the Normal Town Council accepted an invitation to officially join Bloomington as a sister city to Asahikawa, formalizing a relationship that had, in fact, existed for years. The people of Asahikawa had already come to know Bloomington-Normal as one community.
The City of Asahikawa
Asahikawa is located on the northern island of Hokkaido and is one of the largest cities on the island, second to Sapporo. It has a population of about 355,851. Surrounded by mountains, and etched with about 130 rivers, Asahikawa is a beautiful city home to some of the friendliest people.
The city is renowned for its annual winter festival which draws hundreds of visitors with its larger than life snow and ice sculptures. In addition to the winter festival, Asahikawa is well-known for the Asahiyama Zoo, one of the most successful zoos in Japan. Asahikawa also offers a wide variety of food ranging from their famous ramen to inexpensive conveyor belt sushi. Summer Festival is also one big attraction drawing many locals and visitors every year.
Aside from its main attractions, Asahikawa is a great place to live. Asahikawa may not be as large as Tokyo whose dense population stands at around 14 million people, but this city offers a peaceful life with no shortage of things to do. Whether you are taking a stroll by one of the city's many rivers, or walking in the bustling downtown area, Asahikawa will be sure to leave an unforgettable impression.