40th Anniversary of the Yamagata-Colorado Sister State Partnership (July 26–27, 2024)

Yamagata Prefecture and the State of Colorado, USA, established their sister state partnership in December 1986. This year, they are celebrating the 40th anniversary of this significant relationship. To commemorate the occasion, Governor Mieko Yoshimura of Yamagata, together with an official delegation, made an official visit to Colorado from July 26 to 28, 2026.

During her stay, Governor Yoshimura deepened exchanges with representatives from Sakura Square, Colorado State University, Colorado Nikkeijin Kai, and the Japan America Society of Colorado. On the evening of July 27, a commemorative reception was held at the official residence of Colorado Governor Jared Polis. At the reception, both governors reflected on the wide-ranging exchanges in fields such as education that have developed over the past 40 years, and renewed their commitment to further expanding the partnership in the years to come.

To mark this special occasion, the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver also participated. On July 26, Consul-General Okajima provided an overview of Colorado, and on July 27, delivered congratulatory remarks at the reception.

We look forward to the continued development of the partnership between Yamagata Prefecture and the State of Colorado, and to an even broader range of exchanges in the future.