Matsumoto Sister City History with Salt Lake City

1956 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower establishes a program to “Promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.”

1957 – Tamotsu Murayama, Japan Times writer, meets with Utah Nippo publisher, Kuniko Terasawa, Henry and Alice Kasai, former Mayor Earl J. Glade and, University of Utah President, Dr. A. Ray Olpin, to negotiate the establishment of a Sister City relationship between the two cities.

1958 – November 29, Proclamation of Sister City affiliation is formalized. by Salt Lake City Mayor Adiel F. Stewart and Matsumoto City Mayor Tokuya Furuhata.

1958 - 1976 – Sister City activities continue with visits from mayors and cultural exchanges. Local Issei groups hosted the visitors during this period. 1965 Matsumoto Honorary Citizenship recognition to former Mayor Earl J. Glade, Dr. A. Ray Olpin, Henry Kasai and Kuniko Terasawa. Shinichi Suzuki introduces the Suzuki Method of teaching violin and piano

1977 – The program takes on a new focus as respective Chambers of Commerce and the Rotary International groups take an active role in the exchanges. Matsumoto citizens and students take part in the Days of ‘47 activities. Student exchanges are established.

1983 – 22nd Annual Sister Cities International Award sponsored by the Reader’s Digest Foundation, presented to Salt Lake City.

1991 – Matsumoto trade show held in the Salt Palace.

Major anniversaries leading up to the 2008, 50th anniversary have been observed.