Friday, October 2, 2026
The City of Olympia is going to unveil an honorary Kato Street designation outside City Hall in honor of its longtime friendship with Kato, Japan.
The public ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the corner of Cherry Street and 4th Avenue. Mayor Dontae Payne will emcee the event, and join community leaders and representatives of the Olympia-Kato relationship for the unveiling of a new street sign.
The honorary designation marks decades of cultural exchange and personal connections between residents of the two communities.
“For 45 years, this relationship has been built person by person, family by family and friendship by friendship,” Payne said. “The Kato Street designation honors all the people who have sustained that connection and reminds us that this friendship is still growing.”
Olympia’s relationship with Kato dates back to 1981, when the city established a sister-city partnership with Yashiro, Japan. Yashiro later merged with neighboring communities to form the City of Kato, while the sister-city relationship continued through student exchanges, family connections, and other cultural programs.
Karen Fraser, a former Olympia mayor and state legislator who helped establish the relationship, will speak at the ceremony about its origins and the 45 years of friendship between the communities.
Hyogo Business & Cultural Center Executive Director Takahisa Ikegami will offer remarks on behalf of Kato Mayor Tadashi Iwane.
Former Olympia mayor and Olympia Kato Sister City Association President Cheryl Selby will discuss the partnership’s continuing role in the city.
The ceremony will also recognize volunteers, families, former exchange participants and partners, who have helped maintain the relationship over the decades.
“This anniversary gives us a chance to honor the people who got us here and think about what comes next,” Payne said. “Forty-five years is worth celebrating, and we want the Olympia community to come celebrate it with us.”
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BobJacobs
Karen Fraser was mayor of lacey, not Olympia.
Bob Jacobs
Monday, September 14 Report this
CobraCommander
Okay but where is the Japanese Garden being relocated?
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
Person of Interest
I hope you all understand that the Japanese Garden that was the foundation of the relationship has been sold. They are very kind to even meet with the City.
Tuesday, September 15 Report this
TheGreatAnon
We get a street sign in exchange for the Japanese Garden!?! That be some weak-ass BS
Tuesday, September 15 Report this