Maine Delegation visits Aomori, Japan
Downtown Aomori City

Janine Cary and Cory Crocker display a custom-made Maine Flag that reads “Maine Aomori Sister State 10-Year Anniversary 2004”

The governor of the Aomori Prefecture, Gov. Shingo Mimura, joins Japanese students onstage as they sing a Japanese pop song

Janine Cary and Cory Crocker pose with Gov. Shingo Mimura after the 10-Year Anniversary Ceremony

The Maine display at the Maine Fair

Janine Cary with Jennifer Snowdon, the Coordinator for International Relations for the Aomori Prefecture Government, in front of artwork at the Aomori Prefecture Government office

In traditional costume for the Nebuta Festival: Susumu Hatai, Aomori Prefecture Government; Jennifer Snowdon, Aomori Prefecture Government; Carol Mandzik, Husson College; Cory Crocker, Maine International Trade Center

On August 4th, the State of Maine and the Aomori Prefecture in Japan celebrated the 10th anniversary of their sister-state relationship. At a grand reception in Aomori City, Governor Mimura spoke of his appreciation for the sister state relationship and the role it has played in furthering educational, cultural and trade ties between Aomori and Maine.

Janine Bisaillon-Cary, Vice President of the Maine International Trade Center presented Governor Mimura with a 10th anniversary flag and announced that a Maine-made commemorative granite bench was being delivered "To the people of Aomori celebrating ten years of friendship and cooperation."  A personal letter from Governor John Baldacci to Governor Mimura was also presented.

An audience of over 200 people including a Maine delegation from Greely Middle School-Cumberland, Husson College-Bangor, ISF Trading- Portland, and the Maine International Trade Center were in attendance. Traditional songs were sung by both the Japanese students and Maine students, and videos from Governor Baldacci and the Maine Department of Tourism were shown.

"The Aomori group was extremely welcoming and generous," observed  Bisaillon-Cary. "Over the past 10 years, more than 1,600 people have participated in this exchange and the relationship continues to grow on many levels."

The anniversary coincided with the famous Nebuta Festival, where 3.7 million visitors come to participate in a week of parades, music and festivities in Aomori. A special "Maine Fair" was coordinated with the festival where lobsters were sold, and Made-in-Maine products and Maine colleges were featured. A student delegation from Bath Middle School was participating in an exchange with Shariki schools in Aomori and also joined the festivities.

Within the State of Maine, the “Apple and the Pine Tassel" - a photo exhibit organized by the Maine-Aomori Sister-State Advisory Council and Maine State Museum - is currently on display at the State House, and a student exchange is scheduled with Hall-Dale School-Farmingdale this September.

Additional cultural and trade exchanges are anticipated in 2005. Maine companies and individuals interested in Aomori exchanges should contact Cory Crocker at the Maine International Trade Center or Don Nicoll of the Maine-Aomori Sister State Advisory Council.

For statistical information on Maine trade with Japan, click here.

In front of the ISF Trading lobster booth at the Maine Fair: from the left: Cory Crocker, Testu Tsubota, Department of Agriculture, Hasegawa Yoshihiko, Chief Accountant, Janine Cary    Janine Cary and Mr. Tamaki in front of the ISF Trading lobster booth

Delegates on the roof of the Hachinohe Port Trade Center after the Maine – Aomori Trade Seminar