The bond between Macon-Bibb County and Kurobe City, Japan continues to stand as a model of international friendship, collaboration, and shared respect. What began nearly fifty years ago as a formal sister-city relationship has grown into a lasting partnership built on cultural exchange, business innovation, and mutual goodwill.
At the heart of this connection is YKK Corporation, a global company with deep roots in both communities. YKK’s decision to open a manufacturing plant in Macon in 1974 paved the way for the cities to officially become sister cities in 1977. Since then, Macon-Bibb and Kurobe have remained closely linked through education, business, and cultural exchange that continue to inspire both communities.
Through a visit to Kurobe City and participation in the Southeast U.S./Japan (SEUS–Japan) Conference, a Macon-Bibb County delegation had the opportunity to strengthen international partnerships that promote economic development, cultural understanding, and shared growth between our communities.
Friendship Signing and Gift Exchange
“Each time our cities connect, we learn something valuable from one another. You show us what it means to preserve cultural pride while embracing change, a lesson that continues to inspire Macon-Bibb County as we grow and evolve as a community,” Mayor Lester Miller told the Kurobe City Delegation at a formal dinner during his first visit to Kurobe in October.
During this visit, Mayor Miller led a Macon-Bibb County delegation to Kurobe City Hall, where they met with Mayor Yoshikazu Takekuma and other officials to reaffirm the long-standing relationship between the two cities. The delegation also included Macon-Bibb County Manager Dr. Keith Moffett, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA) Chairman Robby Fountain, MBCIA Board Member Ember Bishop Bentley, MBCIA Executive Director Stephen Adams, and Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jessica Walden.
“I found it deeply meaningful to share in the significance of our partnership, to reaffirm our pledge of cooperation, and to take this step forward together towards the further prosperity of both cities,” said Mayor Takekuma. “It was additionally my great delight that, seeing as this was Mayor Miller’s first visit to Japan, his time in Kurobe allowed him to experience our sister city relationship not just on paper, but in reality.”
Dozens of Kurobe City employees greeted the delegation at the entrance of City Hall with smiles, cheers, and American flags. Inside, both mayors offered words of welcome before signing the Friendship City Partnership Commemorative Declaration, renewing their shared commitment to friendship and cooperation for future generations.
“On this day, we bless the bonds of friendship between the County of Macon-Bibb, previously the City of Macon, and the City of Kurobe, and celebrate the sister city connection which has endured for nearly a half-century. Through the mutual expansion of friendship and understanding, this sister city relationship continues strongly into the present day,” stated part of the declaration.
Following the signing ceremony, the two mayors exchanged gifts as a gesture of mutual respect and goodwill. In Japan, gift giving holds deep cultural meaning, symbolizing gratitude, harmony, and the strengthening of relationships.
Mayor Miller presented a collection of photographs celebrating the beauty, spirit, and culture of Macon-Bibb County—a reflection not only of the people and places that make the community special but also of the friendship that continues to flourish across the Pacific. In return, Mayor Takekuma gifted Mayor Miller a Kabuto, a traditional Japanese samurai helmet representing strength, protection, and honor. The Kabuto is an authentic Takaoka “Tekki” piece and has been created through a practice that has been certified by the prefecture as one of Toyama’s traditional handcrafts.
The exchange reflected the essence of the Macon–Kurobe relationship: two communities united by shared values, respect, and a desire to build bridges that last for generations.
Learning About Kurobe
After the ceremony, the delegation toured Kurobe City Hall, a striking modern facility built in 2015 that houses every department, from water management to tourism and industry, all under one roof serving as a one-stop hub for Kurobe’s 40,000 residents.
“It was interesting to see how that building stands as a symbol of efficiency and community connection,” said County Manager Dr. Moffett. “
Mayor Takekuma proudly showed Mayor Miller and the delegation the display of memorabilia that Kurobe has collected over the decades from Macon-Bibb County: keys to the City of Macon, photographs, and art pieces gifted by previous administrations.
“It was great to see how much they care about our sister-city relationship,” said Mayor Miller. “They put so much thought into our visit and into honoring our shared history. We are so grateful.”
The group also toured Kurobe City Hospital, learning about the hospital’s use of the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic-assisted platform that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions. The hospital has an ongoing Medical Exchange Program with Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, which has connected healthcare professionals between the two cities for more than two decades.
The exchange began in 2003, when a delegation from Kurobe City Hospital visited Mercer University and The Medical Center, Navicent Health, to discuss the possibility of forming a partnership. That same year, the two hospitals signed a formal agreement to begin the exchange, which continues to this day.
“This program has helped our residents gain firsthand experience and deepen their understanding of the U.S. healthcare system,” said Kurobe City Municipal Hospital Director Hirokazu Tsuji. “As of March 2024, 100 residents from our hospital have completed training in the U.S., and 56 American physicians have visited our hospital to share their expertise.”
Education and Exchange
The delegation concluded their time in Kurobe City with a visit to Meiho Middle School, one of two middle schools in the city. There, they were warmly welcomed by faculty and students, including 15 Bibb County School District students participating in the annual student exchange program. In March, Macon-Bibb families hosted students from Sakurai High School.
“Fifteen of our Bibb County students traveled to Kurobe as ambassadors for the district and the Macon-Bibb County Government, building friendships with local students and experiencing education and culture from a global perspective,” said Dr. Lori Ward-Rodgers Bibb County School District Assistant Superintendent of District Effectiveness and Federal Programs. “The exchange strengthened our Sister City partnership with Kurobe and reaffirmed our shared commitment to providing students with experiences that expand their worldview and inspire lifelong learning,”
Among the delegation for the Bibb County School District was Executive Chef Stuart Hardy, Bibb County School District’s Teacher of the Year, “whose leadership and professionalism reflected the talent and excellence found in our schools,” added Dr. Ward-Rodgers.
The delegation learned many fascinating things about Japan’s education system, including that high school is not mandatory. Students must pass an entrance exam to attend, which makes earning a spot a true accomplishment. Because of this, high school is seen as a privilege rather than a requirement, and nearly every student who attends goes on to graduate, reflecting Japan’s strong sense of discipline and commitment to learning.
“The visit offered a meaningful glimpse into how Kurobe invests in its youth, blending traditional values with modern educational practices, which is an approach that resonates deeply with our own efforts to empower young people through learning and leadership,” said Mayor Miller.
“This experience of international exchange can broaden one’s worldview, challenge preconceived notions, and foster greater tolerance for different perspectives,” said Mayor Takekuma. “I believe that these exchanges with Macon-Bibb can serve as a significant turning point in life and, especially for younger generations, inspire an aspiration to thrive internationally.”
Exploring the Kurobe Gorge
Before their formal meetings and tours in Kurobe City, the delegation spent a day exploring one of the region’s most breathtaking natural landmarks, the Kurobe Gorge. Traveling by the historic Kurobe Gorge Railway, the group experienced sweeping views of the river and mountains that define the region’s beauty. They also learned about the gorge’s vital role in Japan’s development of hydroelectric power, including the massive engineering efforts behind the Kurobe Dam, an enduring symbol of innovation and perseverance. The visit offered a deeper appreciation for how Kurobe balances progress with the preservation of its natural landscape, a value reflected throughout the community.
The YKK Connection
At the center of the Macon–Kurobe relationship is YKK Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of zippers and fastening products. But to both cities, YKK represents far more than industry—it represents opportunity, understanding, and connection.
When YKK opened its Macon plant in 1974, it also opened a bridge between two cultures. That bridge was strengthened by community leaders and by President Jimmy Carter, who remains cherished throughout Kurobe, where memorials, markers, and even an auditorium celebrate his legacy of friendship and goodwill.
During their visit, the delegation toured YKK’s manufacturing headquarters in Kurobe, learning about the company’s history and innovation. The group observed how YKK produces everything in-house, including its own machines, and discovered that the Kurobe plant alone produces 466 miles of zipper every day.
They also visited Passive Town, YKK’s groundbreaking eco-friendly community development that serves as a model for sustainable urban living. Built with advanced energy-efficient design, green technology, and YKK’s own architectural products, Passive Town demonstrates how cities can reduce environmental impact while improving residents’ quality of life.
Continuing the Partnership in Tokyo
The journey continued in Tokyo for the Southeast U.S./Japan (SEUS/Japan) Conference, an annual international gathering that promotes economic, cultural, and business partnerships between Japan and seven southeastern U.S. states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. This was an opportunity to bring together government officials, business leaders, and economic developers from both regions to strengthen trade, encourage investment, and discuss new opportunities in manufacturing, technology, energy, and innovation.
During the conference, Mayor Miller, Robby Fountain, and Stephen Adams joined Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia economic developers for a visit to YKK’s global headquarters.
“We are deeply honored to welcome the Macon-Bibb County delegation to YKK’s headquarters,” said YKK Corporation President Koichi Matsushima. “This visit reflects the strong and enduring partnership between YKK and the Macon community—a relationship built on mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to growth. Macon has been an integral part of YKK’s journey in the United States for the past five decades, serving as a cornerstone for our manufacturing excellence and innovation. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and contributing to the prosperity of the region for many years to come.”
The delegation also toured YKK AP’s showroom in Tokyo, where they experienced firsthand the craftsmanship, design, and technology behind the company’s commercial and residential window and door systems.
“This trip reaffirmed how vital international partnerships like ours with YKK are to Macon-Bibb’s continued growth,” said MBCIA Chairman Robby Fountain. “We’re not just building business connections; we’re strengthening a friendship that supports innovation, investment, and opportunity on both sides of the world.”
A Legacy of Friendship
The visit to Japan served as a powerful reminder of how far the Macon–Kurobe partnership has come and how much potential still lies ahead. What began as a business connection nearly fifty years ago has grown into a friendship rooted in mutual respect, learning, and collaboration.
Through decades of exchanges, visits, and shared experiences, the people of Macon-Bibb County and Kurobe City have built a relationship that transcends geography. From the classrooms of Meiho Middle School to the manufacturing lines at YKK, from the halls of City Hall to the hospitals that exchange knowledge and care, the bond between the two cities continues to thrive.
“We honor the efforts of those who came before us, from civic leaders to educators, from YKK’s founder Tadao Yoshida to every citizen who has worked to keep this friendship alive,” said Mayor Miller. “Guided by Mr. Yoshida’s belief in the Cycle of Goodness, that no one prospers without rendering benefit to others, we reaffirm our shared intention to move forward together.”
As Macon-Bibb County moves forward, the partnership with Kurobe and YKK stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when communities come together across oceans and cultures. It is a living example of the power of goodwill. It is proof that true progress is built not just on commerce, but on understanding, friendship, and shared purpose.