City News

Sebastopol Welcomes Global Guests During Japan-America Grassroots Summit

June 16, 2025, City News

As a Sister City to Takeo Japan, Sebastopol played a proud and personal role in this year’s Japan-America Grassroots Summit, hosted by the Japan Society of Northern California (JSNC) and Center for International Exchange (CIE) held from June 3–9 in San Francisco. The 2025 summit honored the enduring friendship between Japan and the United States, rooted in the historic story of Nakahama (John) Manjiro and Captain William Whitfield—a relationship that continues to inspire grassroots diplomacy today.

This year marked a special milestone, as JSNC celebrates its 120th anniversary, continuing its mission to foster ties between the two nations. One of the most anticipated parts of the summit is the “Local Session,” during which visiting participants immerse themselves in selected communities throughout Northern California. For four days, Sebastopol opened its doors, hearts, and homes to international guests, offering them a glimpse into local life through homestays and cultural exchanges.

Sebastopol World Friends, a longtime promoter of international friendship and cultural exchange through its Sister Cities program with Takeo, Japan and Chyhyryn, Ukraine, partnered with JSNC and CIE to host several summit participants. Guests were welcomed into the homes of local families for a four-day, three-night stay, where they experienced Sebastopol’s unique charm and community spirit firsthand.

During their stay, host families and town leaders collaborated to showcase the best of Sebastopol—from its vibrant arts and eco-conscious culture to its rich agricultural roots. A highlight of the visit was a meet and greet at Sebastopol City Hall, where local leaders and summit guests engaged in heartfelt conversation and cultural exchange. Participants had the chance to share stories, ask questions, and learn more about the city, all in the spirit of mutual respect and curiosity.

“The essence of this summit is person-to-person connection,” said Sebastopol World Friends City Council liaison and Sebastopol Vice Mayor McLewis, “It’s not just about international diplomacy—it’s about hospitality, curiosity, and celebrating the values we share.”

Sebastopol also had a presence at the summit’s opening ceremony on June 3rd in San Francisco, with Vice Mayor McLewis and Meg Mizutani, a board member and co-chair of the Sebastopol World Friends’s Takeo Committee, representing the city. Their participation highlighted Sebastopol’s continued commitment to global friendship and grassroots peacebuilding.

The Japan-America Grassroots Summit commemorates the legacy of Manjiro, who—after being rescued as a boy by an American captain in 1841—returned to Japan and became a key figure in bridging the two countries. His journey included a stop in San Francisco in 1850, making this year’s Northern California location especially meaningful. Ms. Kyo Nakahama, one of the delegates who homestayed in our region is the 5th descendant of John Manjiro. She spoke to the host families about the mission of this summit and expressed her gratitude to the community of Sebastopol for its strong commitment to building peace through citizen diplomacy.

As Sebastopol residents and their international guests parted ways at the end of the summit, many expressed a sense of deeper connection and appreciation—not only for each other’s cultures, but for the power of simple human connection to build lasting peace.

For more information about Sebastopol World Friends or how to get involved in future exchanges, visit https://sebastopolwf.org.

L to R: Meg Mizutani, Sebastopol World Friends Board of Directors Takeo Chair and California-Japan Sister Cities Network President; OSUMI Yo, Consul General of Japan; and Vice Mayor McLewis of Sebastopol, at the Japan-America Grassroots Summit opening ceremony in San Francisco on June 3, 2025.

2025 Japan-America Grassroots Summit participants attend a meet and greet with Sebastopol Leaders at Sebastopol City Hall during their homestays in Sebastopol.