Fort Wayne Sister Cities Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 13188
Fort Wayne, IN 46867
The Sister Cities Committee is committed to promoting and fostering educational and cultural understanding between the Fort Wayne community and the citizens of sister city Takaoka, Japan. By assisting with the development of educational programs in the Fort Wayne area based upon knowledge acquired through exchange visits between the two cities, the Sister Cities Committee has worked toward these goals since it was formed in 1977.
The Fort Wayne Sister Cities Committee is a non-profit organization to which contributions are tax-deductible. It is headed by a volunteer board of directors and supported by many volunteer members working with the City, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Indiana University-Purdue University of Fort Wayne and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce.
Membership in the organization indicates interest in the necessity of promoting world understanding and friendship between cultures, and to enjoy people-to-people sharing of ideas and activities. It is a commitment of support, and an opportunity for satisfying involvement. Members receive a periodic newsletter describing the various activities, and invitations to receptions for visiting delegations.
Official delegation visits not only create personal contacts and deepen friendships, they provide for exchange of information, knowledge and ideas by leaders of both cities in the fields of education, civic affairs and commerce. As sister cities are usually chosen to match closely their counterparts in size, industrial development and cultural achievement, many problems faced by both cities frequently are similar.
Many beautiful and valuable gifts and artifacts have been received from Takaoka, which have been periodically displayed at the Fort Wayne/Allen County Historical Museum. In 1980, the citizens of Takaoka presented Fort Wayne with a Friendship Garden, and in 1981, Fort Wayne presented Takaoka with Helitec II, a twin of the sculptured sun dial installed at the entrance to the Performing Arts Center. Delegations also have participated in Fort Wayne�s Three Rivers Festival parades, and other community events.
1976: At the request of the Fort Wayne Bicentennial Commission, the City Council passed a resolution creating our Sister City relationship with Takaoka, Japan.
1977: A delegation, ed by Mayor Robert Armstrong, visited Takaoka, and the covenant between the two cities was signed.
1978: A Takaoka delegation led by Mayor Kenji Hori visited Fort Wayne.
1979: Nichidai (Koryo) High School Marching Band participated in the Three Rivers Festival parade. A sister school relationship was established with North Side High School.
1980: Takaoka Wing of Youth group, led by Vice Mayor Noguchi, visited Fort Wayne. The Takaoka Friendship Garden was presented as a gift from the citizens of Takaoka. Artifacts from Takaoka were donated to the City of Fort Wayne and displayed in the Historical Museum.
1981: An official delegation from Fort Wayne visited Takaoka. Helitec II, a twin of the sculptured sun dial at the entrance to the Performing Arts Center, was presented as a gift of Fort Wayne.
1982: Students from Takaoka Commercial High School visited sister school Elmhurst High School. North Side High School received students from Koryo High School.
1983: The Sister Cities Committee offered a Japanese Language and Culture class through the Continuing Education Department of Fort Wayne Community Schools. A delegation comprised of a principal, teacher and students from North Side and Snider high schools, together with members of the Sister City Committee, visited Takaoka. Two Takaoka exchange students spent six weeks, and another exchange student attended an academic year at North Side High School.
1984:Students from Takaoka Technological High School visited sister school Elmhurst High School. North Side High School sent a teacher and four students to Koryo High School for seven weeks. A Girl Scout and a Boy Scout received funding from the Experiment in International Living and from President Ronald Reagan�s International Youth Exchange Initiative to spend a summer session in Takaoka. The Takaoka Wing of Youth accompanied by city officials participated in the Three Rivers Festival and a seminar conducted by Leadership Fort Wayne. The group was welcomed by Mayor Win Moses Jr., and members of the City Council. The Sister Cities Committee became incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.
1985: A membership drive for the Sister Cities Committee was kicked off at a reception in the Historical Museum, where artifacts from Takaoka were displayed.
Takaoka is located on the west coast of Japan in Central Honshu, and covers an area of approximately 58.32 square miles. The population is approximately 200,000, which is one of the similarities it shares with Fort Wayne. Takaoka is also a city of three rivers: the So, Oyabe and Senbo rivers. Large industrial plants have been built along the river. Takaoka is the leading commercial and industrial city on the Japanese seacoast. Copper, lacquer ware and textile printing are traditional products. Recent additions are aluminum, paper, pulp, chemical, metal working and heavy machinery industries.
Corporate: $100
Patron: $50
Individual: $10
Senior citizens and students over 16: $2.50
---Adapted from the brochure of the committee: "Join us in fostering the growth of understanding through educational and cultural exchanges." (2000)