A 100-Pound Tuna and an Unforgettable First Day in Osaka
Until this trip, I had never seen a grown man carry and dance with a 100-pound tuna on his shoulder. That was only one of the unforgettable moments from the first day of our U.S.-Japan Sister Cities International Summit in Osaka.
Our 552 attendees encountered stories that connected history, tragedy, resilience, and friendship.
We heard from Kyo Nakahama, the great-great-great-granddaughter of John Manjiro. After being shipwrecked nearly 200 years ago, Manjiro was rescued by an American ship captain and became the first Japanese person known to study in the United States. His life demonstrates how one unexpected encounter can influence relationships between countries for generations.
We celebrated the 70th anniversary of the first U.S.-Japan sister-city relationship between St. Paul, Minnesota, and Nagasaki.
We also learned about a boat swept away during the 2011 tsunami. It was discovered two years later in Crescent City, California, and a tragedy became the beginning of a remarkable sister-city friendship.
The day also included exceptional food, extraordinarily welcoming volunteers, and fireworks that brought the gathering to a joyful close.
What made the program powerful was not simply the production. It was the way each element carried a story. A conference becomes memorable when people do more than receive information. They encounter a person, image, or experience that changes how they understand the subject.
That is why hospitality matters in international work. It creates the conditions in which stories can be heard and relationships can begin. The City of Izumisano gave our guests much more than a successful opening day. It created an experience people will carry home and share with others.
Thank you, Izumisano. What a way to begin.
Related reading