50 Years of Friendship

In September of 1959, the City of Montebello was honored by receiving an invitation to participate in the fifth biennial meeting of the Japan-American Conference of Mayors and Chamber of Commerce Officials. The conference, which was scheduled for the following November in Osaka, Japan, was seen by city officials as a forerunner to establishing a sister-city program. Recognizing the opportunity before them, the city committed to send Councilwoman Elaine Kirchner by establishing the “Send Elaine to Japan Fund.” With a $2,000 goal to cover travel expenses, the Montebello community responded in abundance. Contributions were collected due to the desire of the community to promote goodwill and understanding between two countries.

During the conference, Mrs. Kirchner participated in a round table discussion of the “People to People” program, a 1956 initiative by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to establish cultural exchange programs. It was here that Mrs. Kirchner indicated Montebello’s interest in establishing a “Sister City” in Japan. As a result of her statements, Mrs. Kirchner was asked to participate in a press conference, which caught the attention of Mr. Hiroyasu Okuyama of Ashiya, Japan. On November 7, 1959, Mrs. Kirchner received a phone call in her hotel room from Mr. Okuyama. Anxious for his city to have an opportunity to affiliate with Montebello, Mr. Okuyama asked for Montebello’s consideration to establish Ashiya, Japan as its “Sister City.”

Over the next several months, Mrs. Kirchner and Mr. Okuyama worked diligently to gather support from their respective cities. Committees were formed, resolutions were passed, and further dialogue and correspondence continued. By August of 1960, a partnership between the two cities was all but certain. A firm affiliation with the Lions Club of Ashiya and Montebello was established and solidified by exchanging Lions Club banners, furthering the cities’ intent for partnership.

Additionally, the United States Information Agency and the School Affiliation Service of American Friend Service Committee approved arrangements and created a “pen pal” program for school affiliations between Yamate Elementary School of Ashiya and Greenwood Elementary of Montebello, and Ashiya High School and Montebello Junior High School.

On May 24, 1961, a Sister City relationship was officially established between the City of Montebello and the City of Ashiya to promote cultural and industrial exchanges and further promote friendship and international goodwill between the United States of America and Japan. To further this lasting friendship between the cities, the Student Ambassador Exchange Program was initiated in 1964. The Ambassador program has enabled the “Sister Cities” to continue its relationship and will carry on its legacy.