FULLERTON : Council Members Discuss Japan Trip

City Council members, fresh from their controversial trip to Japan, returned to City Hall on Thursday and talked about the high points of their seven-day venture.

Four council members, along with representatives of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, South Rotary Club and North Orange County YMCA, traveled to Fukui City, Japan, on Oct. 31 to establish a sister city relationship between the two cities.

Some residents were critical when they learned that Fullerton taxpayers would foot the bill for air fare for the council members and for materials and gifts for their Japanese hosts. But the council members say the $8,000 to $9,000 they spent is far less than the $15,000 they authorized for the visit--and money well-spent.

The city of Fukui paid the expenses to play host to representatives from the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, the Fullerton Rotary and the Fullertowne Strutters.

One of the highlights of the trip was a two-hour ceremony that included a performance by the Soave Children’s choir of Fukui and the Fullertowne Strutters, a Fullerton Dixieland jazz band, the council members said.

Along with the ceremony, representatives from Fullerton were given tours of Fukui schools, businesses and historical sites.

Council members stressed that the newly formed relationship will concentrate not only on economic development but also on “people to people” exchanges.

“I sincerely believe both cities can benefit in many ways,” said Councilman Richard C. Ackerman. “The possibilities resulting from this are vast and unlimited.”

Ackerman added that there are plans for a student exchange program between the cities.

“I spoke with the president of a university who was very interested in establishing a relationship with an American university in which there would be an exchange of students. Cal State Fullerton would be tailor-made for such a program.”

Fukui officials first proposed a sister relationship 16 months ago after making three visits to trade shows in Fullerton.