Yoshi’s passion for Mindanao (Vol 7: Sister cities for Davao City)
2025/3/28
Kitakyushu City
Sennan City
Do you know what Japanese cities are sister cities for Davao City?
In 2017, Kitakyushu City became the first Japanese sister city for Davao City. Known for leading Japan’s modernization and industrialization, Kitakyushu once struggled with severe pollution in the past. However, it has since transformed into Japan’s cleanest big city. As Davao City’s “Environmental Sister City”, Kitakyushu City has been actively collaborating on various projects such as technology transfer, empowerment of local residents and human resources development, especially in the field of waste management.
In 2023, Sennan City in Osaka Prefecture became Davao City’s second sister city. Home to Kansai International Airport, Sennan City serves as the gateway for Osaka Prefecture and Kansai Economic Region. The partnership between Sennan City and Davao City focuses on strengthening ties through acceptance of the Specified Skilled Workers and Educational Exchanges.
In 2024, Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture became the third sister city for Davao City. Hamamatsu City is a famous hub of manufacturing companies such as automobile, motorcycle or musical instruments, advanced agricultural production, particularly fruits and Japanese tea, and has a large foreign resident population. Hamamatsu City and Davao City also reinforce their relationship through acceptance of the Specified Skilled Workers and Educational Exchanges.
Davao City has strong historical ties with Japan and is known for being a pro-Japanese city, with many young and talented human resources. On the other hand, Japan is facing challenges such as a declining birthrate and aging population. Linking both sides can be a so-called “Win-Win Relationship” for all. Sister City partnership often begins through private initiatives, and they can be strengthened and promoted by the involvement of administrative body of the City Government, in the areas of business, education and human exchanges.
Currently, Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture are also interested in building closer ties with Davao City. I sincerely hope that more local governments in Japan will become sister cities for Davao City in the near future.
March 28, 2025 Ishikawa Yoshihisa
In 2017, Kitakyushu City became the first Japanese sister city for Davao City. Known for leading Japan’s modernization and industrialization, Kitakyushu once struggled with severe pollution in the past. However, it has since transformed into Japan’s cleanest big city. As Davao City’s “Environmental Sister City”, Kitakyushu City has been actively collaborating on various projects such as technology transfer, empowerment of local residents and human resources development, especially in the field of waste management.
In 2023, Sennan City in Osaka Prefecture became Davao City’s second sister city. Home to Kansai International Airport, Sennan City serves as the gateway for Osaka Prefecture and Kansai Economic Region. The partnership between Sennan City and Davao City focuses on strengthening ties through acceptance of the Specified Skilled Workers and Educational Exchanges.
In 2024, Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture became the third sister city for Davao City. Hamamatsu City is a famous hub of manufacturing companies such as automobile, motorcycle or musical instruments, advanced agricultural production, particularly fruits and Japanese tea, and has a large foreign resident population. Hamamatsu City and Davao City also reinforce their relationship through acceptance of the Specified Skilled Workers and Educational Exchanges.
Davao City has strong historical ties with Japan and is known for being a pro-Japanese city, with many young and talented human resources. On the other hand, Japan is facing challenges such as a declining birthrate and aging population. Linking both sides can be a so-called “Win-Win Relationship” for all. Sister City partnership often begins through private initiatives, and they can be strengthened and promoted by the involvement of administrative body of the City Government, in the areas of business, education and human exchanges.
Currently, Hitachinaka City in Ibaraki Prefecture and Okinawa Prefecture are also interested in building closer ties with Davao City. I sincerely hope that more local governments in Japan will become sister cities for Davao City in the near future.
March 28, 2025 Ishikawa Yoshihisa
Hamamatsu City