On Monday, March 27, Macon-Bibb County and Kurobe, Japan held a Twinning Ceremony in Commission Chambers in City Hall. You can watch the full ceremony here., and see pictures of the Ceremony and the visit here.  

“Diversity strengthens our community and is important now more than ever,” said Executive Director of Community Affairs Dr. Henry Ficklin. “Cultural exchanges help make the world a better and more peaceful place. 

“There is no better example of the YKK philosophy of the ‘Cycle of Goodness’ than the relationship between Macon and Kurobe. Since its inception in 1977, the sister city relationship has grown into the most active in the state of Georgia, with more than 1,000 citizens of Macon and Kurobe having visited each other’s cities,” said Jessica Cork, Vice President for Community Engagement and Corporate Communications with YKK Corporation of America. “YKK believes that the best way to build mutual understanding is through people-to-people connections, and we are proud to have supported this relationship for the past 46 years.”

This Twinning Ceremony is a chance for the two cities to recommit their relationship to each other, having been joined together for 46 years. Mayor Lester Miller and the Mayor of Kurobe, the Honorable Yoshikazu Takekuma, and Kurobe City Council Chair Yuichi Nakamura signed the Twinning Document before exchanging gifts, and a presentation from the Cherry Blossom Festival. 

“International Friendship is an integral part of the Cherry Blossom Festival and we’re thrilled to be with our friends from Kurobe, Japan, YKK, and Macon-Bibb County for this special ceremony. Carolyn Crayton’s founding vision for the Festival was to bring people from all backgrounds together to celebrate the beautiful Yoshino Cherry Trees, a beloved symbol of friendship and respect. We are honored to continue to carry the torch,” said Cherry Blossom President and CEO Stacy Moore. 

During their visit, the delegation from Kurobe attended Cherry Blossom Festival events, toured Visit Macon, Mercer Music at Capricorn, the new Fire Training Academy, YKK, the Atrium Health Navicent Beverly Knight Children’s Hospital, Mercer University, Macon Water Authority Treatment Plant, and more.

About the Macon-Bibb/Kurobe Sister City Relationship 

This is the 46th year that Macon and Kurobe have been Sister Cities. During that time, about 1,000 people have traveled between the two cities, and Kurobe has donated more than 3,400 lanterns and 60,000 tulips to Macon.  

On March 1, 1977, the City of Macon and Kurobe City, Japan, entered an official Sister City relationship. Under then Mayor Buck Melton, the resolution was signed affirming warm and friendly relations between the two cities. It highlighted YKK Industries of Kurobe City, Toyama-ken, Japan as having established one of the world’s most modern and efficient zipper manufacturing facilities in Macon-Bibb, and thereby providing employment opportunities for many people. 

The Sister City relationship focuses on four objectives: 

• Establish cultural and educational exchange programs; 
• Establish and create trade, industrial, and commercial relationships between Macon, Middle Georgia, and Kurobe City; 
• Develop medical and health care interchange programs to benefit the citizens of the two cities; and 
• Share in programs of education and information so as to create understanding and good will between the people of Kurobe and Macon (now Macon-Bibb County).  

About the Cherry Blossom Festival 

Founded by Carolyn Crayton in 1982, Macon, Georgia’s International Cherry Blossom Festival works to enhance the quality of life, community fellowship, and civic pride of all Macon and Middle Georgia residents through the encouragement, development, and coordination of selected recreational, cultural, educational, and social activities. Through each activity the Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the Macon and Middle Georgia community by honoring “Love, Beauty, and International Friendship.” 

About YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. 

YKK Group consists of a network of 106 companies operating in 72 countries and regions around the world operating under two brands: YKK® brand fastening products, which manufactures zippers, hook & loop fasteners, plastic buckles and notions, webbing, and snaps & buttons, and YKK AP® brand architectural products, which manufactures storefronts, curtain walls, entrances, sun controls, windows and doors. YKK entered the U.S. market in 1960 as Yoshida International, a zipper distributor. 

In 1972, YKK Corporation purchased 54 acres in Ocmulgee Park in Macon, GA to build its National Manufacturing Center, which opened in 1974. Today, YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. occupies 300 acres in Macon and manufactures 65,000 miles of products each year. YKK AP entered the U.S. architectural products market with imported YKK AP products in 1984, and opened its first manufacturing facility in Dublin, GA in 1992. Today, YKK AP America Inc. consists of commercial products manufacturing facilities in Dublin, GA and Coppell, TX as well as a residential products manufacturing facility located in Macon, Georgia. YKK AP recently announced a $125 million expansion that will include a new residential window and door manufacturing facility and additional machinery and equipment in Macon.