Adrian - Moriyama

History of the relationship

On July 29, 1988, eight citizens of the Japanese city of Moriyama arrived in Adrian to begin a 5-day visit as part of the 1988 Shiga Goodwill Mission to Michigan.  In August of 1989, an Adrian delegation, headed by then-Mayor James Berryman, traveled to Moriyama as part of the Michigan Goodwill Mission.  This trip concluded with a signing of a “Sister-City Agreement” that has promoted a lasting friendship that has included continuous involvement with the yearly Goodwill Missions.  About 50 of our Adrian residents have made the Goodwill Mission trip to Moriyama and nearly 100 Moriyama residents have visited Adrian.

Exchanges

With the signing of the formal “Sister-City Agreement”, the Lenawee Intermediate School District took on the educational component of language and cultural awareness.  From 1989 to 1996, a consortium of area schools provided funding for a bi-lateral teacher exchange.  Many Adrian students learned about Japan and its culture through the Moriyama teachers’ presentations.  Gradually the program expanded to include High School (1993 – present) and the Middle School (1995 – present) exchanges.  In the latter program, eight students are eligible to host a student over Halloween and then visit that student in Moriyama the following spring.

City of Adrian

The City of Adrian, with its over 22,000 residents, is the county seat for Lenawee County.  The historic Lenawee County Courthouse and the newer Rex Martin Judicial Building are located just outside of the downtown area.  Adrian is a city with both industrial and rural connections.  Industries include Inteva Products, formerly Delphi/GM, Adrian Steel Company, and Anderson Development, a subsidiary of Mitsui Chemical of Japan.  Farm land borders the city, making way for a wonderful downtown Farmer’s Market that is opened May through October.

Adrian also has 3 schools of higher learning; Adrian College, Siena Heights University, and Jackson Community College.  The historic Croswell Opera House recognized as the longest continuously running theater in Michigan, the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and the Lenawee Historical Museum are important points of pride in our city.  Twenty three parks and the Kiwanis Bike Trail ensure plenty of opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of Adrian.

City of Adrian Website: www.ci.adrian.mi.us
City of Moriyama Website: http://www.city.moriyama.shiga.jp/index.htm