The city of Delaware’s first-ever delegation to Sakata city in Yamagata, Japan is at the halfway point of its visit.

The delegation has already received a welcome reception from Sakata officials at the airport, hotel and other sites its visited since it arrived on Friday.

The delegation includes Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle, City Manager Tom Homan, Ohio Wesleyan University Provost Chuck Stinemetz, Delaware City Schools teacher Joanne Meyer and Jeffrey Sprague of Next Transport, which recently relocated its Marion plant to the city’s industrial park on Pittsburgh Drive.

Highlights of the trip so far include visiting historic sites such as the former Matsuyama Castle where delegation members dressed up as samurai; Sakata’s own city hall and council chambers; and students and faculty at Tohuku University.

The delegation will have a signing ceremony to establish a sister city relationship on April 19. Members are expected to return April 22.

Residents can stay-up to date with the trip on Twitter at @delawaresakata and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/delawaresakata/.

Nex Transport’s Jeffrey Sprague, left, Delaware Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle and Delaware City Schools teacher Joanne Meyer pose in samurai armor at Matsuyama Castle. The three are part of Delaware’s first delegation to Sakata, a city in Yamagata, Japan. Additional photos, page X.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2017/04/web1_sakata1.jpgNex Transport’s Jeffrey Sprague, left, Delaware Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle and Delaware City Schools teacher Joanne Meyer pose in samurai armor at Matsuyama Castle. The three are part of Delaware’s first delegation to Sakata, a city in Yamagata, Japan. Additional photos, page X. Courtesy photo