Welcome Ceremony for Muroran-Knoxville Sister City Exchange Student Delegation
2025/11/13
On Friday, October 31, a welcome ceremony was held at Cedar Bluff Middle School in Knoxville, Tennessee, to welcome a student delegation visiting Knoxville from Muroran City, Hokkaido, Japan, as part of the sister city exchange program. The 11 junior high school students from Muroran staying in the United States were hosted by families in the Knoxville area during their visit, deepening their exchange.
The ceremony featured performances by Cedar Bluff Middle School students, including orchestra, band, and drum performances, followed by a dance performance by the Muroran delegation. Cedar Bluff Middle School Principal Desiree Jones, who visited Muroran last year, delivered the keynote address, welcoming the Muroran students and emphasizing the importance of international student exchange. Kumi Alderman, Executive Director of the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, also addressed the gathering and donated $5,000 from the proceeds of the Knox Asian Festival held in August 2025 to support the student sister city exchange program. Consul Shoko Matsuoka of the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville also addressed the gathering. She expressed gratitude to supporters for their longstanding cooperation in the sister city exchange and encouraged students from both cities to share their experiences within their local communities.
Muroran City and Knoxville City formally established their sister city relationship in 1991 and will celebrate their 35th anniversary next year.
The ceremony featured performances by Cedar Bluff Middle School students, including orchestra, band, and drum performances, followed by a dance performance by the Muroran delegation. Cedar Bluff Middle School Principal Desiree Jones, who visited Muroran last year, delivered the keynote address, welcoming the Muroran students and emphasizing the importance of international student exchange. Kumi Alderman, Executive Director of the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, also addressed the gathering and donated $5,000 from the proceeds of the Knox Asian Festival held in August 2025 to support the student sister city exchange program. Consul Shoko Matsuoka of the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville also addressed the gathering. She expressed gratitude to supporters for their longstanding cooperation in the sister city exchange and encouraged students from both cities to share their experiences within their local communities.
Muroran City and Knoxville City formally established their sister city relationship in 1991 and will celebrate their 35th anniversary next year.