The city of Delray Beach and the city of Miyazu became official sister cities in 1977, but the link between Miyazu and Delray Beach runs far back into history. (Delray Beach)About 100 years ago at the beginning of the 20th century, George Sukeji Morikami emigrated to the Yamato Colony in Boca Raton established by Jo Sakai. George Morikami's hometown was Miyazu. Though the farming colony failed, George Morikami remained. In 1977, George Morikami bequeathed 200 acres of land to Palm Beach County and the State of Florida to honor the Japanese colonists. These 200 acres have now become the Morikami Museum and Gardens off of Jog Road in Delray Beach. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens provide a unique and strong tie between the people of Delray Beach and Miyzau, Japan. (Moody)
Sister Cities of Delray Beach was created in 1977 by the City Commission for the purpose of establishing a sister-city affiliation with Miyazu, Japan. Today the Sister Cities of Delray Beach Program has expanded to include the city of Moshi, Tanzania. Sister Cities of Delray Beach works to develop programs of shared interests with Miyazu through projects that encourage schools, cultural, professional, and general citizen involvement. Starting in 1998, the two cities established the Youth Exchange program. Delray Beach sent five students from Atlantic Community High School to Miyazu for 5 days. In return, in 1999, Miyazu sent five students to Delray. The Youth Exchange Program has made two more exchange trips, one in 2001 and another in 2003. (Delray Beach)
The Sister Cities Committee of Delray Beach selects five students through an application process from all high schools in Delray Beach. The application includes six essays, a grade point average of at least a 3.0, and a personal interview with students and parents. After being chosen, the students must commit to weekly classes to learn basic Japanese phrases, important points of culture, Japanese history, and to learn about the City of Delray Beach and its Sister City affiliations. All 10th and 11th grade students who reside in or attend school in Delray Beach are encouraged to apply.
The Youth Exchange Program is not an excuse for a tourist pleasure trip to Japan. The students spend 19-20 hours in flight traveling to Osaka, Japan and then they are transported by bus to Miyazu. Students are paired with host siblings in Miyazu and spend about 5 days in a homestay situation. Students also attend school with their host siblings- participating in all afterschool activities. Students upon return create a presentation and report of what they learned to share with a variety of city organizations.
The goal of the Sister Cities Committee is to create a personal bridge for increasing international understanding throughout the world.