The relationship between Kakogawa City and Waitakere City
commenced with the signing of a "Friendship Agreement" in
March 1991 and full "Sister City Agreement" in May 1992. The
programme currently includes:
Annual reciprocal (self funded) student exchange for
13-16 year olds.
Annual Kakogawa Students with Disabilities visit to
Waitakere City.
Annual Kakogawa staff visit to Waitakere City
Council.
Exchange of library material between Waitakere City
Libraries and Kakogawa Public Library.
Individual homestays arranged for students studying
on a long-term basis either in Kakogawa City or
Recruitment of Assistant English Teachers (3) to
teach at Kakogawa Junior High Schools.
Waitakere Lions Luncheon Club and Kakogawa Chuo Lions
Club in 1996 signed a "Sister Lions Club Agreement". The
interchange between the Lions Clubs includes:
Homestays
Business activities
Reciprocal Lions Club visits.
A gift of three Pou Whenua (totem-poles) was made by
Waitakere City to Kakogawa City in 1996 (the Pou Whenua
stand in Kayanagi Park adjacent to the Kakogawa City Office)
a reciprocal gift of a Japanese Garden was received by
Waitakere City in 1997.
Both these gifts are proving to be a draw card for tourists.
Weddings are also undertaken in the Japanese Garden on
regular basis.
In 2001 the City of Kakogawa presented a "first response"
ambulance vehicle to the city. That is now in use with the
Laingholm Volunteer Fire Brigade.
About Kakogawa
The Greater Kakogawa area in Hyogo Prefecture is located
in the lower reaches of the Kakogawa River that flows in the
eastern part of the Harima Plain. With its rich soil, the
vast Inamino Plateau, and mild weather, this area has been
prosperous as a posting station along the Sanyo Road since
olden days.
The Greater Kakogawa Area has grown as a Centre of Eastern
Harima. This area plays an important role in heavy industry
lead by the steel industry in what is known as the Harima
Water Front Industry District.
