Gift exchange during the 2009 Worthington mayoral delegation to Sayama, Japan

This photograph shows city officials from Worthington and Sayama, Japan, during the 2009 Worthington mayoral delegation to Sayama. From left to right are Sayama City Council President Masayoshi Nakamura, Worthington Mayor Harvey Minton, Sayama Mayor Yukinari Nakagawa and Harvey Minton’s wife, Jane Minton.

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 school groups. During exchanges between the two cities, delegations typically tour a variety of destinations including city offices, schools, libraries, businesses and more.

The 2009 mayoral delegation celebrated ten years of the sister-city relationship. Their visit to Sayama City Hall included an exchange of gifts between the two cities, including this painting given to Sayama by Worthington.