Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho with Noboribetsu City Mayor Haruichi Ogasawara and other officials.
SAIPAN Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho paid a visit to Noboribetsu City on Hokkaido, Japan’s northern main island. The visit came in part due to a long-standing relationship between Saipan and Noboribetsu stretching back to the early 2000s and 2010s during the tenures of former Mayors Juan B. Tudela and Donald Flores. Following the several years of typhoons and the pandemic, Mayor Camacho returned to reaffirm and reinvigorate a strong sister city relationship between Saipan and Noboribetsu.
Noboribetsu City, located in the picturesque region of Hokkaido, Japan, is celebrated for its natural hot springs, scenic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage.
Noboribetsu City Mayor Haruichi Ogasawara, recognized for his commitment to sustainable tourism development, shares Mayor Camacho’s vision for strengthening community ties.
Mayor Camacho was welcomed by Mayor Haruichi Ogaswara and his staff. Several of the main items discussed during the visit included restarting the student exchange program which gives students from both sides opportunities to travel and participate in cultural exchanges.
Noboribetsu is committed to send students to Saipan sometime in early December or early next year.
Likewise, Mayor Camacho hopes to send Saipan students to Japan.
The last time Saipan students visited Noboribetsu was in 2013.
Reflecting on the visit, Mayor Camacho remarked, “Exploring avenues for collaboration and exchange with Noboribetsu is pivotal for our community’s growth and resilience. We must continue to look for various economic activities as the livelihood of our people depends on it.”
Additionally, Mayor Camacho extended a warm invitation to Mayor Ogasawara to attend the 80th commemoration of the Battle of Saipan, scheduled for June 15 and July 4, 2024. The event will honor the sacrifices and valor of veterans from both the United States and Japan, underscoring the shared history and reconciliation between the two nations.
Mayor Camacho also took great interest in the many agricultural products and methods that were shown to him. He has always been advocating sustainability and food security within our local food system and continues to seek many new ideas and initiatives from abroad to implement back home and to boost economic activity on Saipan. Mayor Camacho stated, “I am committed to being a proactive leader, focused on action and results.”
Both mayors discussed the potential outlook for the coming year and are eagerly looking forward to this new era of our relationship.
For any questions or more information, contact the Saipan Mayor’s Office at (670) 234-6208. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Saipan mayor’s office is also open through lunch.
