Located about 60 miles north of Tokyo, Utsunomiya is the capitol of Tochigi Prefecture with a population of just over 500,000 people. The city boasts a rich mixture of historical landmarks, including the Utsunomiya Castle and the rock-carved Buddhas at the Ohya Temple. Utsunomiya is also home to modern technology, including a Honda design center and a Canon optical manufacturing plant. One of Japan's most famous parks and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nikko, is not far from Utsunomiya. The city is also known for gyoza, strawberries, and jazz music.
The Tulsa & Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership
This Partnership has continued many traditions, while promoting our Sister City and Japan:
The 25th annual Tulsa-Utsunomiya Youth Exchange in March brought fifteen middle school students and three chaperones to Tulsa for a week-long visit. They lived with host families, attended area schools, and visited Tulsa City Hall and many local attractions.
The partnership was very active in three festivals, all promoting Utsunomiya and Japanese culture: Asian World Experience at OU-Tulsa; Asian American Festival at Martin Regional Library, and Tokyo in Tulsa.
Phil Sharp
TGA Sister City Chair for Utsunomiya
utsunomiya@tulsaglobalalliance.org
Jeannie Cue
Tulsa City Councilor Honorary Ambassador for Utsunomiya
Crista Patrick Ambassador-at-Large
Pictured here with Councilor Cue is Micah Keyan, TGA Vice Chair of Sister Cities
TULSA - UTSUNOMIYA SISTER CITY PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Utsunomiya booth at Asian World Experience 2023
In Recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership (1992-2022)
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum's greeting from Tulsa City Hall in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership (1992-2022)
30th Anniversary video greeting from Utsunomiya Mayor Sato
Luncheon with Japan Consul-General Murabayashi, Japan Consul Takahashi, Tulsa City Councilor Christa Patrick and Rodrigo Rojas Deputy Chief of Staff, City of Tulsa Mayor’s Office on December 17th.
The Mayor's Consular Reception event at the Summit Club on October 19th. (l-r) April Gordon, Micah Keyan, Honorary Consul Dewey Bartlett, Consul General Murabayashi, and Aurora Murabayashi.
Japan America Society of Oklahoma in partnership with TGA hosted a Japanese Tea Ceremony in Tulsa on Saturday, Dec. 17th
Marshall Brewing Company's Utsunomiya Strawberry Wheat commemorative beer was crafted to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City partnership. Eric Marshall, Marshall Brewing Company, and Micah Keyan, Chair, Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership raise a glass at the SAVOR international food festival on August 31st.
For World In A Box Day in August, at the Utsunomiya, Japan table, children translated their names into Japanese, stamped passports, made origami Pokémon, and played the popular Japanese drumming game "Taiko no Tatsujin".
July 10th marks the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership agreement, signed in Tulsa by then Mayor Roger Randle
On June 29th, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston and the Japan-America Society of Oklahoma hosted a reception in Oklahoma City to welcome Dewey Bartlett as the new Honorary Consul of Japan in Tulsa, welcome Hiroka Thornton as the new Japan-America Society of Oklahoma President, and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Tulsa-Utsunomiya Sister City Partnership. Utsunomiya Mayor Sato sent in a congratulatory message to all.
Mindy Stogsdill and Micah Keyan with Hiroka Thornton, new Japan-America Society of Oklahoma President
Micah Keyan with former Honorary Consul General Lloyd Hardin, wearing the Japanese Imperial Decoration
(l-r) Micah Keyan, Dewey Bartlett, Honorary Consul of Japan in Tulsa, Victoria Bartlett, and Mayor G.T. Bynum
New Honorary Consul of Japan in Tulsa, Mr. Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr.
Join us in welcoming and congratulating Mr. Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr., our new Honorary Consul of Japan in Tulsa!--On September 1, the Government of Japan appointed Mr. Dewey F. Bartlett, Jr., as the new Honorary Consul of Japan in Tulsa.
Mr. Bartlett is the President of the Keener Oil & Gas Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served as the Mayor of the City of Tulsa from 2009 to 2016. Currently, Mr. Bartlett is a member on the boards of the Tulsa Port Authority, the National Stripper Well Association, Community Care College, and the Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance.
Honorary Consul Bartlett succeeds Mr. Lloyd T. Hardin, Jr., who served as the Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Oklahoma City for 15 years until June of this year. In coordination with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston, Mr. Bartlett will work to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals, support Japanese companies, and promote a deeper understanding of Japan in Oklahoma.