Kato Japan sister city 45th anniversary visit

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard.

What: report to council on the delegation visit to Olympia's sister city Kato, Japan, marking 45 years since the relationship began in 1981.
Where it stands: briefing and council reflections given on 2026-10-20; no vote.
Next: staff and council want to follow up on disaster preparedness meetings and on the Japanese garden relocation design, where Kato officials offered input.

Dates: September 28 to October 6, 2026.
Delegation: the mayor, three councilmembers, the city manager, the parks, arts and recreation director, the economic development director, and two members of the sister city association (who paid their own travel).
Costs: the city covered a portion of council and staff costs; guests and family paid themselves; the Kato International Association hosted most meals, receptions and tours.
Activities: meetings with Kato city leaders and council, an earthquake museum, a recycling technology center, a textile factory, a sake brewery, temples and a tea ceremony.

Disaster preparedness is underfunded in both countries; the mayor wants to resume regional preparedness meetings.
Interest from Kato in the relocation of Olympia's Japanese garden.
Differences in child care, health care costs, transportation and recycling policy.

About 27 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-20 - City Council	27

2026-10-20 - City Council - Special recognition item: city manager Jay Bernie briefed on the 45th anniversary delegation visit; councilmembers shared reflections.
2026-10-06 - City Council - Mayor reported on the visit; fuller report to come.