Sister Cities has been encouraging cultural interaction for 20 years with its student exchange program between America and Japan.
This year, McMinnville is host to 10 students from Mikawa. The group arrived in America on Sunday night and toured Washington, D.C. on Monday.
On Tuesday, group members flew to Nashville and were picked up by their host families at the airport. Each will be staying with a host family in Warren County until Sunday when they return to Mikawa.
“We have a lot of activities planned and it’s a lot of fun,” said Sister Cities program organizer Jennifer Wright. “I’ve been a host family and I’ve been a chaperone when we took 10 of our youth to Japan. Just the cultural exchange is worth the effort. These kids get to see that kids are the same everywhere. Even though there is a communication barrier and sometimes the families have to learn to communicate with each other, the kids are still kids. They have a great time together.”
The youths also get to see that families are the same regardless of nationality.
“I think people, no matter where they live in the world, believe that others are so different from themselves. In actuality, we aren’t that different. Families love each other. Families care about each other. Teenagers are teenagers – they giggle, they laugh and they have a good time. We aren’t different in the areas that really count.”
Visiting are Chihiro Saito, Hasumi Honta, Shiori Sato, Raisei Sato, Ryusuke Oi, Kazuma Yamaguchi, Yoshino Igarashi, Hiyori Sato, Nanami Suzuki and Norika Saito  with chaperones/ interpreters Yuki Nakajo and Kazuaki Homma.
Sister Cities began in 1993 when the mayors of McMinnville and Mikawa entered into a mutual agreement of friendship. This year marks the 20th year, with the notable exception of 2011 when the program was suspended following an earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
On Wednesday, the day began with a tour of historic downtown McMinnville guided by Mayor Jimmy Haley. The youths, chaperones and host families met beside the Court Square fountain.
 “I want to welcome everyone to McMinnville,” said Haley. “We are so glad you are here. I have something for you. It’s an American tradition to throw coins in a fountain. I have some pennies. Each of you can take one and throw it into the fountain. You can wish for a safe trip or just to have a good time while you are here.”
With wishes cast, the group toured City Hall, Southern School of Photography Lively Museum, Manna’s Natural Market & Tea, Farmers Market, and headed to Riverfront Park where Security Federal Bank had a picnic waiting for them. Kayaking was provided after lunch courtesy of Smooth Rapids, a local business that rents kayaks, canoes and tubes to people who want to float the rivers of Warren County. The day ended with a trip to Topz Frozen Yogurt Café on Main Street.
On Thursday, the group visited Rock Island State Park, Warren County High School and Yurozu. Friday will be spent in Chattanooga with a visit to Tennessee Aquarium, Coolidge Park to ride its historic carousel and then, watch the Chattanooga Lookouts take on the Birmingham Barons.
Saturday is somewhat of a day off. Hosts are encouraged to arrange family oriented activities for the youths. Sunday night is the going away party when the youths say farewell to McMinnville and depart and make the journey back to Mikawa.
Mayor Jimmy Haley signed a resolution to what he called an “important historic milestone” in the Sister Cities program. He proclaimed the week of July 27 through Aug. 2 as Sister Cities Week in McMinnville. Former mayor Royce Davenport signed the agreement of friendship back in 1993.
“Whereas over the course of years each of these municipalities have enjoyed the benefits of educational, cultural, governmental and economic exchange. Whereas over these two decades, officials and representative have each exchanged and presented gifts to their prospective citizens. Whereas both towns have prospered with reciprocal investments between the United States and Japan. Whereas the Sister Cities program has strengthened the bond between McMinnville and Mikawa, contributing continued peace and prosperity,” said the resolution.
In order to be accepted into the Sister Cities exchange program, students must fill out an application in the spring and be approved to participate. The student is then paired with a student approximately the same age and will be taken into the host family’s home for the time he or she is in Japan or the United States.
Mikawa and McMinnville alternate students so McMinnville’s students will travel to Mikawa in 2015.