Members of the Rotary Club of Saipan and the Tokyo Hachijoji South Rotary Club pose for a group photo.
Rotary Club of Saipan President Joann Aquino, 3rd right and Tokyo Hachioji South Rotary Club President Masayuki Wakimoto, 2nd right, hold copies of the sister-club agreement.
THE Rotary Club of Saipan signed a sister-club agreement with the Tokyo Hachioji South Rotary Club on Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
Local Rotarians witnessed the signing alongside 35 of their Japanese counterparts, who flew to Saipan for the event.
According to their agreement, the two clubs will foster “friendship between Rotarians and partners of each club; jointly [implement] humanitarian, educational, environmental, and health projects; [host] individual or groups of Rotarians …; and [maintain] correspondence between both clubs.”
According to Masayuki Wakimoto, president-elect of the Tokyo Hachioji South Rotary Club, the two clubs will revive an exchange program between high school students from both locations.
Wakimoto said prior to the pandemic, back when the two clubs had a “friendship club” relationship, they hosted exchange students.
With the “sister-club” status, Wakimoto said the exchange program will be one of programs that the two Rotary Clubs will jointly implement.
Wakimoto, speaking through a translator, also expressed his gratitude to the Rotary Club of Saipan.
“This year, … my motto is ‘bonding and action,’ ” he said. “This is because I want to cherish bonding and take action to deepen our friendship. I am very happy to visit Saipan with many members today for the first time in 10 years … and meet the members of the Rotary Club of Saipan.
For her part, Rotary Club of Saipan President Joann Aquino said the sister-club agreement “symbolizes a bridge across the Pacific, connecting our communities in service and fellowship.”
