Photograph of the 2009 Worthington Mayoral Delegation at Sayama City Hall

This photograph was taken during the official city visit during Worthington’s 2009 mayoral delegation to Sayama, Japan. Pictured here are officials from both cities, members of the Worthington International Friendship Association (WIFA) and the Sayama International Friendship Association (SIFA), and their spouses.

Seated left to right are Worthington City Council Member Bonnie Michael, Sayama City Council President Masayoshi Nakamura, Worthington Mayor Harvey Minton, Sayama Mayor Yukinari Nakagawa and Jane Minton. Standing left to right are Worthington Communications Director Anne Brown, SIFA President Etsuko Saneyoshi, WIFA Board Member Wade Duym, WIFA President Virginia Duym, David Michael and four Sayama City officials.

Worthington and Sayama have been sister cities since 1999, and through the years have exchanged dozens of delegations, including groups of city officials, residents and students. The 2009 mayoral delegation celebrated ten years of the sister-city relationship. During exchanges between the two cities, delegations typically tour a variety of destinations including city offices, schools, libraries, businesses and more.