Newport Celebrates Sister City With Mombetsu Japan

The city of Newport celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Newport and Mombetsu Japan, a partnership that has fostered cultural exchange and international friendship since its official establishment in 1966.

During the banquet and ceremony held Friday night May 15th, City officials, members of the Mombetsu delegation, representatives from Newport’s Sister City Committee, community leaders, visiting dignitaries, and residents gathered in Newport for a formal celebration dinner honoring the 60th anniversary of the city’s sister-city relationship with Mombetsu, Hokkaido, Japan—a partnership repeatedly praised during the evening as a model of grassroots international friendship.

The evening opened with acknowledgements of special guests, including Consul General Ken Todoriki of Japan in Portland and key local figures such as Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan along with a few members of the Newport city council and State Representative David Gomberg, and other community contributors. Mayor Kaplan emphasized that the visit was intended to give the Japanese delegation “a meaningful glimpse into Newport’s history, values, and the spirit of our community” and expressed personal excitement about visiting Mombetsu later this year. A toast was offered to the guests, along with the promise of commemorative gifts.

State Representative David Gomberg took the stage to formally welcome the delegation, opening with the Japanese greeting “yokoso” and light-heartedly translating for the crowd.

Gomberg highlighted the shared character of Oregon and Japan—particularly great seafood, great beer, and great people—and underscored the importance of international connections in unsettled times. He urged attendees to use the visit to “make new friends and renew old acquaintances”, and noted that in Oregon, guests are not told “sayonara,” but rather “Mata aimashō” – see you again, underscoring the enduring nature of the relationship.

Consul General Ken Todoriki thanked Newport’s leaders,for hosting the reception and for sustaining the long-running connection with Mombetsu.He noted that this is his first posting in the United States and said he is “excited to do everything I can to strengthen the bond between Japan and the United States.” Todoriki highlighted that Oregon maintains 25 sister-city relationships with Japan, and that Newport–Mombetsu is the second-longest-running partnership, calling it a strong foundation for future collaboration.He emphasized that sister-city exchanges are among the most effective ways to build mutual understanding and friendship, and expressed hope that the reception would bring the two communities even closer and “open up a bright future for both”.

The dinner’s keynote reflections came from Mombetsu Mayor Akinori “Aki” Yamazaki.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, he expressed sincere gratitude to Newport’s mayor, organizers, and residents for the warm welcome and the large turnout for the banquet.

Mayor Yamazaki traced the history of the relationship, which began in 1966, calling this year’s visit a special opportunity to celebrate the 60-year milestone in person. He detailed an ongoing youth exchange program launched in 1998, under which Mombetsu sends students aged 14 to 16 to Newport every three years. The program, he said, gives young people a chance to learn about their sister city and better understand the differences and connections between Japan and the United States.

The program also recognized the work of Sachiko Otsuki, the Curator for the Lincoln County Historical Society who has helped document the history of the Newport–Mombetsu friendship. Introduced by the event host, she explained that she had compiled information from city records, archives, and personal contributions to tell the story of how the relationship evolved over decades. Her goal, she said, was to highlight not only city-to-city ties, but the importance of “grassroots, people-to-people relationships.” She invited attendees to visit a dedicated exhibit at the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center on the Bayfront, where the history of the 60-year friendship is on display.

A highlight of the evening came with the exchange of ceremonial gifts between the cities.

Members of Newport’s sister-city committee—including Sister City Committee Chair Kaety Jacobson and Vice Chair Matt Harner joined Mayor Yamazaki on stage for the presentations. Newport’s gift to Mombetsu was a salmon-themed piece, chosen to represent the importance of the fishing industry and shared coastal heritage. On the back, members of the sister-city committee had signed their names in honor of the 60th anniversary.

In return, representatives from Mombetsu presented a banner, symbolizing a hope for good salmon catches and carrying specific markings to denote the 60th anniversary of the city ties, with symbols representing both Mombetsu and Newport. Newport also presented Mayor Yamazaki with a handcrafted glass seal, created by a local glass artists. The seal was selected as a symbol of Newport’s connection to the coast and the Pacific Ocean, intended as a lasting reminder of the city and the friendship it shares with Mombetsu.

On Saturday May 16th the Mombetsu delegation, sister city committee members and city of Newport officals gathered at the Mombetsu Sister City Park to further commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Newport and Mombetsu, a partnership that has fostered cultural exchange and international friendship since its official establishment in 1966, with a tree planting ceremony.

During the ceremony, City officials, members of the Mombetsu delegation and representatives from Newport’s Sister City Committee planted a tree and Newport Mayor Jan Kaplan gave Mayor Yamazaki a plaque representing the keys to the city. This dedication honored six decades of connection between the two coastal communities located 4,600 miles apart. Mombetsu Sister City Park, established in 1976, stands as a lasting symbol of this international friendship and serves as a gathering place for celebrations such as this milestone anniversary. The park is located on Neff Way in Newport.