Sister city trip to Tokyo

The City paid for the mayor, chief executive and tour manager to attend at about $2500 per person, which included the cost of flights and accommodation.

It also paid the airfares of councillors Robert Rossi, Steve Wolff, Bernie Ryan, Belmont Sister City Association chairperson and the association secretary, at $1800 per person. Belmont chief executive Stuart Cole said the essence of the sister city relationship was an annual student exchange program.

‘The citizens’ delegation, led by the mayor, ensures the relationship between the two cities remains strong and paves the way for future student delegations,’ he said.

‘One of the key highlights of the delegation was the signing of the re-affirmation at a formal reception hosted by Adachi City, illustrating Adachi City and the City of Belmont’s commitment to continuing this long tradition of the sister city relationship, with the continued aims of promoting cultural awareness and a harmonious relationship between citizens.

‘The delegates were involved in numerous cultural activities that demonstrated the Japanese way of life, including visits to Edo Museum, cultural sites, soba noodle making, learning the art of making Japanese slippers from rice straw and a sticky rice making demonstration.’