Hyogo Prefecture & Washington State
The Hyogo Business & Cultural Center works to promote and enhance the sister-state relationship between Washington State and Hyogo Prefecture as well as our shared sister cities. By working closely on shared government agendas and issues, we can simultaneously gain valuable insight and share key information to further strengthen our sister-state ties and advance the lives of our citizenry.
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The sister-city relationship established between Kobe and Seattle in 1957 was the very first in Washington. It was followed by the establishment of the sister-state relationship between Hyogo and Washington in 1963. Since then several other cities in Washington have established relationships with cities and towns in Hyogo.
Governor Inslee with students from Kato, Hyogo
The following are examples of what kinds of events and collaborations are currently being done between each of the sister relationships.
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Seattle - Kobe: high school student dispatches, jazz vocal exchanges, yacht club networking
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Spokane - Nishinomiya: high/middle school student dispatches, educational seminars
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Kent/Auburn - Tamba: high/middle school student exchanges, mutual visits
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Renton - Nishiwaki: high/middle school student exchanges, mutual visits, Lion’s Club member visits
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Olympia - Kato: 10-day summer youth exchange program
Six students from Auburn set to visit Tamba City in the summer