Maizuru and Portsmouth
Sister City established in 1998
This link was initiated to support an increase in Japanese tourism and economic development between two cities with shared historical military links. Despite the challenges of the distance between cities there has been an increasing amount of activity over the last 28 years especially following successful funding bids to support programmes with young people.
Maizuru have funded a number of young people from their city to attend Portsmouth each year since the beginning of the link. Once here they have taken part in a range of English language teaching and tourism activities. In 2016 a link was established with Mayfield School and this went onto secure funding and enabled a group of young people to visit Maizuru in 2018.
There have been a number of specific business initiatives to support and assist businesses in Portsmouth interested in expanding into the Japanese market.
Portsmouth's Japanese Garden in Southsea was opened in 2000, cherry trees were planted to mark the 20th anniversary of the link in Cosham and in 2026, the Mayor of Maizuru travelled to Portsmouth to attend the Civic Ceremony commemorating 100 years of city status.