formal_welcome

The visit to Nagaokakyo began with a formal presentation of gifts from the host cities. Paul Schlichtman displays the clock that Mayor Yutaka Oda of Nagaokakyo gave to Arlington. Mayor Oda and City Council President Masao Ueda hold a traditional New England handmade quilt, containing the names of the sister cities, which was presented to Nagaokakyo by Arlington teachers Byron Bradley, Christopher Dangel and Cheryl J. Christo. In addition to the Arlington delegation, Nagaokakyo Superintendent of Schools Tomio Ashida joined the formal photo (standing, right).