Kawasaki, Japan

In November 1987 Kawasaki and Wollongong agreed to form a Sister City relationship based on a written Sister City Agreement.  This agreement was formally signed in 1988 and re-signed in 1993, 1998 and 2008 to ensure a continued international bond of friendship.

Since its inception in 1987 the Sister City relationship has been extremely ongoing and successful, with both parties ensuring its this success through their active involvement.  A variety of exchanges have been encouraged, including citizen exchanges, sports exchanges and cultural exchanges, as well as educational exchanges involving the formation of Sister School and University Agreements.

This longstanding and successful relationship, and its established exchange programs, has drawn significant national local government interest and has been highlighted in presentations by the Consul General of Japan and the Japan Local Government Centre.

The agreement reached with Kawasaki Sister City includes:

• promotion of exchange programs including
• citizen and youth exchanges
• environmental information
• school activities
• promotion of regional economic co-operation

Some of the highlights of the Kawasaki Sister City relationships have involved:

• Kawasaki Junior Cultural Prize: The Kawasaki City Cultural Prize Competition for Art and Essay commenced in 1988 and is conducted annually for Kawasaki school children aged 10-12 years.  The competition was initiated and has been continually sponsored by the Kawasaki Shinkin Bank as part of the Wollongong-Kawasaki Sister City Relationship. With an estimated 3,000 entrants each year, the two essay and two art prize winners each winners receive a trip to Wollongong to present their works to our city. The high profile of this competition within Kawasaki generates awareness of Wollongong in that city and beyond, and highlights the sincerity of our relationship. Similarly Wollongong residents and students gain awareness of this relationship and interact with the Kawasaki Junior Cultural Ambassadors during their visit to Wollongong.    
• University Exchange: An ongoing exchange program has been established with the University of Wollongong and Kawasaki City. It involves an annual delegation of students and lecturers undertaking extensive practical language experience in Kawasaki. Students are hosted by the Kawasaki City community, who organise home stays and , hostel accommodation lectures and practical language opportunities within local schools.   This exchange provides valuable credit points towards the students’ university degree. 
• Art Exchange: Both Wollongong and Kawasaki feature unique Japanese and Australian indigenous art. Major works are have been presented to each community as part of the Sister City's fifth, and tenth five, ten and twenty year anniversaries. This includes the Japanese Bridge and Teahouse located at Wollongong Botanic Garden, a silk painting at Wollongong City Council,  and a tile mural located and a bronze sculpture at the Kawasaki International Centre. The Sister City relationship has also presented an opportunity for major exhibitions by Wollongong artists in Kawasaki; 
• Music Exchange: Opportunities for cultural exchange have allowed the Wollongong Conservatorium Senior Flute Ensemble to perform in Kawasaki City in 2002 and the Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra in 2005.  A Wollongong pianist was guest artist at a performance of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra in Kawasaki.
• Book Exchange: An exchange of books has occurred between Wollongong and Kawasaki City libraries.
• 20th Anniversary – 2008 :   In May 2008 both cities renewed their Agreement for Friendship and Program for Co-operation for a further ten years in order to continue and further develop the co-operative friendship and its associated exchange projects. This was commemorated with an invitation from Kawasaki City for Wollongong pianist, Mr Jesse Pinazza to perform as solo artist with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra at the celebrated MUZA Kawasaki Music Hall in March 2008. Acclaimed Noh performer and teacher, Kawasaki Cultural Envoy Ms Hisa Uzawa, and the Uzawa Noh Troupe, performed at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre in May 2008, the first time an authentic Noh performance from Japan has been staged in Wollongong.
• A  citizens group from the Kawasaki International Friendship Association visited Wollongong during November 2008, providing the community a school students with a demonstration of the art of kimono dressing.