AMHERST — A long-running program in which middle school students and their chaperones from Kanegasaki, Japan, visit Amherst could resume this year as the elected leaders in both communities this week renewed a friendship agreement.
At the Amherst Town Council meeting Dec. 18, Kanegasaki Mayor Takahashi Kanju and Council President Ito Masaaki, speaking from their Town Hall, where Japanese and American flags were displayed on a table, committed to continuing the sister-city relationship that dates to 1993, when it was first formalized.
“With the pandemic now over, we are taking steps for a restart of the exchange next year,” Kanju said through interpreter Daniel DeGrasse. “We would be very grateful if the town of Amherst would be able to give its support for the exchange, as before.”
In 1987, Amherst and Kanegasaki agreed to begin regular student exchanges, with the first visit in 1989, as the International Friendship Association was created by Kanegasaki’s former mayor, Norio Takahashi. Kanegasaki students then continued coming nearly annually through 2019, though the pandemic interrupted that.
But Amherst’s middle school students last went to Kanegasaki in 2004, partly due to lack of interest from students, as Japanese is not taught in school.
At Large Councilor Andy Steinberg, who visited Kanesgaki in 2015 as a member of the Select Board, said the communities have much in common, including agricultural heritage and beautiful surroundings.
“We share commitments to education, we cherish the beauty of the areas in which we live, we are proud of our towns and the quality of life we enjoy,” Steinberg said.
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in the renewal of the friendship of Amherst and Kanegasaki.”
Both Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Interim Schools Superintendent Douglas Slaughter also discussed the friendship.
“Our mutual commitment to sharing our culturals, through the experience of our students, will foster greater understanding in our world,” Bockelman said.
“Each student has a valuable life experience, and Kanegsaki and Amherst have benefited from the cultural exchange brought by our younger residents.”
Slaughter added, “I look forward to the opportunities that our renewed friendship will present, and am hopeful that in the coming years many others will be able to experience the richness this type of ongoing exchange presents.”
As mayor, Kanju said he is promoting industry and fostering a vibrant, engaging community and a place where people feel proud to live.
“I would like to take this time to convey my deepest gratitude to you, the members of the Town Council, and to the many residents of Amherst, whose hard work and commitment have grown and fostered this relationship over the many years,” Kanju said.
Kanegasaki Council President Ito Masaaki said he visited Amherst in summer 2001.
“It was a very wonderful memory, and I wish to give my thanks to you for that,” Masaaki said.
He offered an invitation to Amherst officials.
“I hope that you all will have the opportunity to visit us here and experience the wonders of our town,” Masaaki said. “My deepest desires are that this important exchange between Amherst and Kanegasaki continues long into the future, and that our friendship and bond only deepens from here on in.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.