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Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City Association

Founded in 1963

MISSION STATEMENT
“To create rapport between the cities by exchanging cultural, civic, educational ideas and issues, and to promote better understanding and friendship between the United States and Japan.”

1965 Yokkaichi Trio

2017 Long Beach Trio

2010 YEF Teachers

2018 LB Environmental Summit

2006 Yokkaichi Drs @ LB Memorial

Since its inception in 1963, Long Beach and Yokkaichi, Japan have enjoyed a friendship as Sister Cities. Long Beach celebrated the 60th Anniversary relationship in August 2023 (See video on YouTube) and Yokkaichi held anniversary festivities in November 2023.
Read about the Long Beach and Yokkaichi city anniversaries.

TRIO PROGRAM

ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT

CURRENT TRIO NEWS - 1/15/2025
WANTED! SIX FAMILIES TO HOST 2 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ONE TEACHER FROM YOKKAICHI IN JULY-AUGUST 2025
Long Beach will be receiving a teacher and two students from Yokkaichi in July 2025. We are seeking three families to host each trio member between 7/21-7/29 (or 7/30) and three families to host each trio member between 7/29 (or 7/30) - 8/8. LEARN MORE.

ABOUT THE TRIO PROGRAM
Every other year one Teacher and 2 High School Students (are selected to serve as ambassadors to the host city, either Yokkaichi or Long Beach, in late July for a 20-day cultural exchange tour. Note: Round-trip airfare to Japan will be the responsibility of each student and teacher.

CURRENT NEWS - 1/5/2025

We are seeking 4 high school students and 1 chaperone from Long Beach to participate in this one-week study program in July (or August) 2025.

Applications will be available early 2025.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT PROGRAM
Each summer 4 students and 1 chaperone from Long Beach are selected to participate in an environment study program with students from Yokkaichi and Tianjin, China. The 7-day study program takes place at the International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) in Yokkaich. Note: Round-trip airfare to Japan will be the responsibility of each student and chaperone. LEARN MORE.

YOKKAICHI ENGLISH FELLOWS (YEF)

SISTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

CURRENT YEF NEWS - 1/15/2025
Please watch this website for more information.

ABOUT THE YEF PROGRAM
CSULB Teaching Graduates or LBUSD Teachers are invited to apply every year for a paid position in Yokkaichi for 2 years. Teachers will assist in teaching immersion English to elementary and middle school levels. Fluency in Japanese is not required.
LEARN MORE.

Note: Roudtrip airfare to Japan will be the responsibility of selected YEF.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Three Long Beach middle schools have established “Sister School” relationships with junior high schools in Yokkaichi. Their exchanges have included videos, letters, Zoom chats, kanji lessons, artwork, and student profiles. LEARN MORE.

Read the August 2023 Press-Telegram Newspaper article about the
Long Beach Yokkaichi Sister City Association Programs|

Read Everything YouNeed to Know About Yokkaichi
   Includes:
     “Must Eats!”
     “Specialty Goods and Traditional Crafts”
     “Gifts from Yokkaichi”
     “Yokkaichi at Night”
     “Must-Visit Spots””

50th AnniversaryBook

JOIN US
Read more on our Contact Us page
or DOWNLOAD our Membership Application below:
LBYSCA MEMBERSHIP FORM.
Please complete the form after you have downloaded it to your PC.

Contact Mike Vaughn with questions at
mikevaughn1997@gmail.com or call 562-592-9350.
LEARN MORE.

Questions about this Website?
Contact: Aki Vaughn at akivaughn95@gmail.com.

READ “Kizuna, The Bonds Beyond the Ocean”, a book published by Yokkaichi to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Long Beach-Yokkaichi Sister City association. This beautiful book begins in 1963 and chronicles the programs (with photos of past Trio, YEFs, and Environmental Summit delegate) and events celebrated between our two cities.

Congratulations to former Yokkaichi Mayor Toshiyuki Tanaka and his dedicated, hardworking staff who worked for months compiling historical photos and documents to create this memorable book.