What is the Sister City Program?
President Dwight D. Eisenhower started the Sister cities around the world. Regional chapters provide a link between the SCI national office in Washington D.C. and local organizations. The Torrance Sister City Association is a part of SoCAL, the southern California chapter.
How did Torrance get involved?
Torrance's first sister city was Konya, Turkey, but a change in Konya's government ended that relationship. A similar fate awaited the second sister city---Guatemala City, Guatemala.
In 1970, a Kashiwa citizen approached the Torrance Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce about a sister city relationship. On February 20, 1973, the affiliation became official, with then-mayors Ken Miller of Torrance and Ryotaro Yamazawa of Kashiwa signing the agreement documents. This relationship is currently in its 30th year.
The Torrance Sister City Association became an independent, non-profit organization in 1976. It is governed by a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors, supported by volunteer members. Two students are appoiinted to the board each year. The association works closely with the City of Torrance, through the Parks and Recreation Department, and receives an annual grant from the city. TSCA also works closely with the Torrance Unified School District and other local businesses and organizations.
Torrance's Sister City: Kashiwa, Japan
Kashiwa is located 18 miles northeast of Tokyo, in Chiba prrefecture. It is a bustling, energetic city, yet it still maintains a lot of open space and the old charm of Japan. Kashiwa is about three times larger in population and area than Torrance.
Kashiwa is governed by an elected mayor and 36 elected assembly members.
Together, Torrance and Kashiwa sponsor the following ongoing programs:
- The Student Cultural Exchange Program
- The Adult Leader Program
- The Host Family Program
- The English Teacher Program
- The Sister Schools Program
- The Library Exchange Program
- Goodwill anniversary Visits (every five years)
- Torrance sponsors the Japanese Cultural Festival, called "Bunka-Sai," held in April each year. All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards the Student Cultural Exchange Program.
Membership in TSCA is open to anyone. For more information, please call Hazel Taniguchi at (310) 328-1238.
