A CIVIC reception was held at the Cooma-Monaro Shire Council chambers last Wednesday night to formally welcome six dignitaries and 11 students from Cooma's Japanese Sister City, Yamaga.
Mayor Vin Good welcomed the group with a hearty Konnichiwa before the students took to the stage entertaining guests with Japanese song and dance.
Yamaga is a city located in Kumamoto, in the south of Japan and has a population of over 30,000 people.
The group was visiting as part of the Lions Club exchange program in which students from the Monaro visit the Japanese city exchanging with Japanese students each alternate year.
While in Cooma, the Japanese students stay with host families and learn about the Australian culture and language while teaching others about their own.
In welcoming the guests Cr Good said he hoped the students would make the most of their time in Australia and return home with many fond memories.
"We welcome you to our community and hope you will make friends you can keep forever."
Yamaga's deputy mayor Yoshifumi Sugiyagi said the exchange program has been an integral part of students learning since the first exchange took place in 1975.
Lions Club president Chris Reeks said a trip to Yamaga has already been planned for our students who will be jetting off on August 12, 2009.