Published: Monday 22 April 2024
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea took its friendship with Motomiya City, Fukushima Prefecture in Japan to a new level with the signing of a Friendship Declaration on April 4, 2024.
Kensington and Chelsea's Mayor, Cllr Preety Hudd, travelled to Motomiya City at the invitation of Mayor Gigyo Takamatsu to solidify the bond between the two communities. The Prefectural Governor of Fukushima, Mr Masao Uchibori, and by Ms Jessica Wells, Second Secretary (Political Section) from the British Embassy in Tokyo witnessed the signing.
This Declaration opens doors for future collaboration in areas like culture, education, arts, and the economy.
"It was an honour to sign this Declaration," said Mayor Cllr Hudd. "This officially recognises the strong connection we share with Motomiya City, both currently and for posterity. I especially thank Mayor Takamatsu and his team for their exceptional hospitality during my memorable visit and Mr Yoshio Mitsuyama, Chairman of Fukushima Prefectural Association in the UK, for instigating this initiative."
The visit wasn't all about paperwork. Mayor Hudd and Mayor Takamatsu planted commemorative trees in Prince William's Park, including a symbolic Japanese broom – a nod to the broom bush in Kensington and Chelsea's coat of arms.
This friendship has roots that go back to 2012 with the opening of the Fukushima Memorial Garden in Holland Park, London. Gifted by Motomiya City, the garden serves as a lasting reminder of the support offered by the British people after the 2011 disaster caused by a major earthquake, tsunami and a nuclear accident in Fukushima Prefecture. The bond was further strengthened in 2017 with the signing of a Sister Garden Memorandum linking the Fukushima Garden in Holland Park with Motomiya City’s English Garden.
