Japanese delegation visits campus

A 20-member delegation from Yachiyo, Japan, a Tyler Sister City, visited the University on Thursday.

The delegation consisted of the Tyler-Yachiyo Sister Cities’ President Michio Sugo, Yachiyo’s Mayor Toshiro Toyoda, and 19 others from Yachiyo.

“It’s a short visit but we’d like to cultivate the relationship with UT Tyler and we home to see students from Yachiyo come to this University in the future,” Toyoda said.

President Rodney Mabry introduced the delegation to the campus at the Ratliff Building South and told the audience the importance of Sister Cities.

“It’s important that we get together from time to time with our good friends from Japan,” Mabry said.

Mabry talked about the newest building on campus, the Bill Ratliff Science and Engineering Complex, and how former Texas State Senator Ratliff helped bring engineering to the University.

Toyoda, though, said the University system in Japan is quite different.

“We have two colleges in our city and both of them are privately owned. The person who donates money becomes president of the college,” he said, which drew laughs from the audience of the delegation and University administrators.

Tyler and Yachiyo have been Sister Cities since 1992, and visitors have sent delegations overseas 10 times, according to information from the city of Tyler.

“The organization strives to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development,” according to a release from the city of Tyler.

Yachiyo is located 18 miles east of Tokyo, and has a population of about 185,000.

By Allen Arrick Editor in Chief