On January 26, 1978, a charter signed by Mayor Richard A. King and Mayor Retji Kumaki established a Sister City relationship between Iindependence and Higashimurayama.
One month later the first adult visitors from Japan arrived in Independence for a home stay. In August 1980, Lana White led the first group of Independence citizens on a tour of Japan and home stay in Higashimurayama.
The first exchange of students from Higashimurayama arrived in Independence on July 29, 1979, for a two week home stay. Each year thereafter a student group with one or more adult leader has visited Independence.
The Independence student exchange to Higashimurayama began in the Spring of 1981 when a group of six students went to Higashimurayama. Each year since that date the Japanese Sister City Commission has sponsored an exchange of students with Higashimurayama. In addition, the two sister cities have sponsored adult exchanges including home stays.
Before the tour begins, students attend classes on Japanese language, food, culture and traditions in preparation for the home stay.
Our Sister City Schools
Glendale Elementary School
Glendale Elementary School established a cultural exchange program with Megurita Elementary School in Higashimurayama in 1988 and sponsors a Japanese Culture Club to promote this relationship.
The mission of Glendale Japanese Club is to give our Glendale 4th and 5th graders an opportunity to learn about Japan. We have many cultural lessons and activities such as ikebana, origami, sushi tasting, tea ceremony, and many others. Recently we have added drumming, Kempo, and small plays of Japanese children's stories. The Japanese Club performs several places all over the city. Our most recent performances were at the KC Comets Game, The Jackson County Cultural Arts Commission's Showcase of Arts, and at the KC Japan Fest at JCCC.
The Glendale Japanese Club is unique to the Independence School District because it is the only elementary school with the distinction of a Sister School in our sister city of Higashimurayama. We have exchanged gifts, emails and letters with Megurita Elementary for over 15 years. We were fortunate to have the principal of Megurita, Mrs. Ishida, come to Glendale for a day. She brought with her a beautiful tapestry that was made by students at Megurita. Many of our Japanese Club members are able to visit Megurita Elementary when they reach high school. This is a very special experience for our students. They are truly visiting old friends!
Glendale Elementary houses many beautiful Japanese artifacts including quilts, dolls, and clothing. Please come visit us anytime! We're very proud of our club.
Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Pioneer Ridge Middle School has established a cultural exchange program with a Junior High School in Higashimurayama in 2008. Both schools sponsor a Japanese Culture Club to promote this relationship. It costs $55 to join the club at Pioneer Ridge, as an after-school sponsored program.
The mission of Pioneer Ridge Japanese Club will be to give our Junior High School students an opportunity to learn about Japan, and the Japanese students in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade will be able to learn about the United States.
Many of our Glendale Japanese Club members will be able to continue their interest in Japan when they advance to middle school at Pioneer Ridge. When students reach high school, they can apply for the exchange program. The Japanese Sister City sends ten high-school to college-age students to Japan each year. This is a very special experience for our sister school students. They are truly visiting old friends!