Chiba City, just 43 kilometres nocih of Tokyo,
became twinned with North Vancouver City in
1970, thus linking these (wo culturally unique cen-
tres as sisters. For the past 18 years students par-
ticipating in the Youth Exchange Program have
stayed with host families in both countries. In 1982
Mayor Loucks travelled to Chiba, presenting two
sea otters (bottom right) to the Chiba Zoological
Park. In turn, Mayor Matsui (left, in froat of Chiba
City Hall), donated two stone lanterns to the
Japanese Garden in Lonsdale Quay Park. Cultural
and art exchanges between the cities are frequent
— another opportunity for young people to unders-
tand their distant friends.

Chiba City has a population of 800,000, and has
recently become the busiest port in Japan. A ma-
jor monorail system will soon be completed and this
will ensure efficient transportation within the city.
In the last 15 years much land has been reclaimed
from Tokyo Bay and this will provide a beach of
just under 6 km.

Around Chiba there are numerous shrines that
remind the foreign visitor of Japanese traditions.
Chiba Castle (below) has displays of ancient tools,
weapons and armor.

At the Chiba City Kitayatsu Centre (right) these
men study their markers while playing Go, a game
of skill. Seniors gather at the centre for dancing,
singing, traditional pocin writing, or they can en-
joy gate ball, a popular game similar to croquet.

As in Canada, many children in Japan attend day
care centres while their parents work. The children
above attend Chiashirodai East First Nursery with
140 other children in programs that are much like
those in Canada.

AS more people travel between these two cities
the tie becomes tighter, strengthening the bond bet-
ween the two ‘‘sisters’’.

Photos and Story by Stuart Davis