Friendship with Australia
My children and I went to a zoo the other day. My children love koalas.
Koalas have been one of the most popular animals in Japan since the past.
These koalas and kangaroos were brought from Australia around 1980 because there weren’t any Koalas in Japan.
Since that year, the friendship relationship between the state of Queensland in Australia and Saitama prefecture have been maintained. I didn’t know the relationship.
(Saitama prefercture is located in the north of Tokyo and Saitama has 60 cities including Kawagoe city. )
Saitama prefecture also connects some relationships with other countries. As bellow.
The state of Mexico
Shanxi 山西省 in China
The state of Queensland in Australia
The state of Ohio in the United States
The state of Brandenburg in Germany
In addition, Kawagoe city connects with friendship as bellow.
Offenbach am Main in Germany
The city of Salem in the United States
The city of Autun in France
Some states exchange trainees.
Some states hold soccer events for kids.
Some states offer people subsidy to visit the friendship countries for sightseeing.
I hope that we’ll make use of the friendship much more.
I live in Queensland!!!! When I was a kid we used to have koala’s in our backyard. My nanna used to chase them out of our trees with the garden hose. You just don’t see them around anymore…. it’s sad really.
Oh, we can see the koalas thanks to your place. It’s really fun if koalas live in the background. The situation is sad, too.
Great to see such a strong friendship between Japan and Australia. I love both countries and consider both to be my home.
Japan Australia
Many thanks. That’s great you have experienced both country’s culture. I would like to know about Australia much more.
I live right next to Brandenburg in Berlin. The only reason why Berlin has its own state is because it’s the capital of Germany, else it would belong to Brandenburg as well.
I see. That’s good because our cities have already connected.
Hi Cocomino, I think you are doing a great job in building relationships by sharing your unique stories about your family and your country!
Many thanks. I’m glad to hear that from Australia.
Very interesting info. The koala is so cute…
Thanks a lot. The Koala is very popular both for children and adults.
nice to know… you’re welcome!
Koalas are the most adorable creatures.
My city (Burlington) is twinned with Itabashi, which is possibly also in Saitama Prefecture? We have the most lovely sakuras lining a path in our waterfront park.
I see. Itabashi ward is located in Tokyo but it’s near to Saitama.
Itabashi people may have sent sakuras to your area. It must be so beautiful.
I love Koala bears, so sweet. It’s great to hear of the relationships and friendships abroad that continue to grow – so very important!
Many thanks. I think so. It’s very important but few people notice it in Japan.
Koala’s are so cute. This must have been a fun day.
Thank you. Yes, it was a fun day.
Koalas are cuter than rabbits!
No friendship with South Africa? OK, we’ll just do a virtual friendship between a representative from Cape Town and a resident of Kawagoe, on behalf of our towns!
Maybe so.
Of course, we have already connected on behalf of our countries.
You know… I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Koala ‘in real life’ before…
I don’t think our zoo has any. They seem like fascinating creatures, though!
I see. Koalas are so cute. I wish that you could see the cute animals.
Interesting post! We are visiting family in Ohio today, so we have a connection with you too :^)
It’s very nice. I heard the name of Ohio before but I can’t imagine how the city is. It’s interesting to explore it.
The koalas are so adorable! It’s great to have such relationships with other countries. Thank you for sharing. Our city is a sister city to Matsumoto, Japan and cities in a few other countries:
http://www.saltlakesistercities.com/our_cities.htm
Also, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sister_cities_in_the_United_States
Thank you for sharing, too.
I have visited Matsumoto which has a nice castle in the center of the city.
It’s interesting to know sister cities.
さいたまはすごいですね！
世界各国の友だちがたくさんもっていますね。
動物園で日本の宝のタンチョウを見ましたか？
今まで知らなかったですけど、もっと交流が進んだら面白いですね。
タンチョウは、この動物園にはいなかったですけど、他の動物園に少しはいると思います。
Hello there,
I am very excited to let you know that I have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award. I have included a brief explanation of what makes your blog so inspirational to me here:
http://nyparrot.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/you-think-you-know-me-but-you-dont-writing-a-blog-is-rewarding/
Thanks for inspiring me, and may inspiration be always present in abundance in your life!
Many thanks! I’m really happy to hear that.
It’s fun to share our life, you know.
Yes, I know!:-) You are very, very welcome!!
I am freshly thrilled with all the wonderful global connections you write of here between your areas of Japan and cities, towns, and provinces in other countries. How truly encouraging about world friendships that can help promote understanding and peace. My daugher’s favorite mammal is the koala!
Thanks much. I think so. It’s easy to connect people living in other countries than before because of the Internet.
It’s important to grow the connection for peace.
We have a few local cities here that are sister cities to places in Japan such as Izumo, Tsukuba, Okayama, …etc. I am not sure how they were established, but I think it is great to have a connection to other cultures.
I think so. Of course, I know such nice cities. Thanks a lot.
Such adorable creatures! Nice to know of the sweet relationship existing between the two countries because of them
Thank you. I knew it for the first time although I have this koalas many times.
What’s with koalas today? I just saw a blog about koalas.. =p Anyway, beautiful pictures, very cute koalas!
That’s good.
The koalas were lovely. Thanks.
They are such adorable creatures.
Indeed. Thanks!
Give me a hug, Koala!
Sure. The koalas are adorable.
Koalas are quite some animals, and I am not surprised that you kids love them. It’s interesting to read about the relationship between Saitama (included Kawagoe) and other parts of the world. (And by the way sorry for having been absent lately, I just haven’t had time to comment the last couple of weeks).
Thank you so much. Don’t mind it.
The koalas are so adorable that even adults like it.
It’s important to increase the number of friendship cities.
Hello Cocomino
I love your blog and to hear about your daily life in Japan. I hope there is one small boy in Tokyo who thinks fondly of Australia. I was on a subway train and he was with his mama looking so very miserable that I gave him a small toy koala that I had brought with me. My “presento” seemed to cheer him up! xx the Seal
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad to know you and your story is impressive. That koala must be very precious for him.
The cutest animal in the world!!!
Yes, thank you!
The city of Autun has one of the most remarkable cathedrals in all of France. The sculptures within it are amazing. A very famous one is of the Three Wise Men of the Bible, all sleeping under one cover. There is also Eve, the mother of everything living in the Bible, as she emerges into the world. Perhaps one day you’ll get to this sister city —-
I see. Thank you for sharing. I didn’t know that and I would like to visit such cities, indeed.
People from other countries seem to love koalas and think of them as “cute”, but here we kind of take them for granted – we see them more as lazy and a bit strange – but it is always cool to see one, because it doesn’t happen a lot in built-up areas.
The city/prefecture friendships you mention are a good thing, and I like your sentiment that “I hope we’ll make use of the friendship much more” (with Australia). I hope so too!
Can I make another small correction?
“Saitama prefecture also connects some relationships with other countries. As bellow.” This would work better with “Saitama prefecture also maintains connections/relationships with (some) other countries”. (“Bellow” should also be “below” – just because “bellow” means to shout loudly!). You’d also use “maintain(s)” in the sentence introducing the next category. I hope you don’t mind the corrections : )
Thank you so much.
Many people don’t notice the relationship. So I think that people should know it.
You corrections are very good. Actually my sentences have been already corrected by my friends on lang-8.
Please continue it if you have time
I had a look at the “Lang-8″ website – what a good idea! Does it help you retain the new/corrected phrases and know how to use them again?
My grandparents were divorced before I was born, and my grandfather got married again, to a Japanese lady – so I have 3 Japanese-Australian aunties.
Thanks for check it. Yes, it’s very useful and I made many friends who spoke English.
I can review the correction. There are many people who learn not only English but also other languages including Japanese.
Thanks for sharing about you. You can play a coordinating role between Australia and Japan.
Have you ever seen a wombat?
Sure. There are wombat in a zoo.
I *LOVE* wombats
How nice!
What a wonderful idea…
Thanks!