The City of Launceston has reaffirmed its six-decade Sister City relationship with Ikeda, Japan, following a highly successful delegation visit held from 28 October to 2 November 2025.
Led by Mayor Matthew Garwood, the delegation included Councillors Susie Cai, Tim Walker, Andrew Palmer and Alan Harris, along with community representatives and Council officers.
The visit was undertaken to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sister City partnership and to advance shared priorities in education, cultural exchange, community development, and economic collaboration.
Across five days, the delegation participated in an extensive program of civic, cultural and industry engagements, including meetings with Ikeda's Mayor and City Council, visits to significant local industries such as Daihatsu Motors' headquarters, educational sessions with the Hosogo Compulsory Education School, and cultural experiences including tea ceremonies, kimono workshops and guided tours of key community precincts.
The report stemming from the trip was tabled in today's Council Meeting, and will be available on the Council's website - along with a short video overview of the delegation, showcasing highlights of the itinerary and the strengthening of the long-standing partnership.
Delegation Reflections:
Mayor Matthew Garwood said the visit had deepened the personal and civic connections that underpin the Sister City relationship. "This was an extraordinary opportunity to reaffirm 60 years of friendship between our two cities. Ikeda was incredibly generous in its hospitality, and the exchange highlighted how much we can continue to learn from one another - whether in education, community programming or economic development."
Cr Susie Cai said the cultural and community elements of the delegation were particularly valuable. "Ikeda's commitment to building resilient, connected neighbourhoods was inspiring. The experiences shared with local families, teachers and community groups have opened the door to new collaboration opportunities for our own community programs in Launceston."
Cr Tim Walker said the visit reinforced the genuine goodwill and shared values underpinning the partnership. "Every interaction emphasised Ikeda's enthusiasm for continuing to grow our relationship. Their focus on innovation, culture and education strongly aligns with Launceston's strategic priorities, and there is real potential for ongoing exchange."
Cr Andrew Palmer highlighted the educational exchanges as a key outcome. "Our discussions with Ikeda's schools reflected strong interest in revitalising student and teacher exchanges. These opportunities enrich young people's understanding of the world and broaden the pathways available to them."
Cr Alan Harris said the structured program demonstrated the strength of Ikeda's civic planning and community development. "Visiting major industry sites and meeting representatives from Ikeda's Council gave us valuable insights. The systems, partnerships and community-focused planning they employ offer lessons we can adapt locally."
Key Outcomes from the Delegation:
Cultural Exchange
The delegation strengthened the cultural foundations of the Sister City relationship through shared experiences including traditional cuisine, tours of Ikeda's heritage precincts, kimono and tea ceremony workshops, and civic receptions.
Educational and Youth Exchange
Conversations with local education leaders confirmed a mutual desire to renew student and educator exchange programs and explore opportunities for collaborative learning initiatives.
Economic Collaboration
Industry visits - including to Daihatsu Motors and Toyosu Factory - provided insights into innovation, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development. These visits will inform future conversations about economic exchange and shared industry learning.
Community Engagement
The delegation participated in local community activities and observed Ikeda's approach to city activation, main street precincts and public-private partnerships, providing valuable perspective for Launceston's own community development initiatives.
Actions and opportunities arising
The report identifies specific next steps, including:
- progressing educational exchange proposals,
- exploring cultural and civic collaboration opportunities,
- investigating potential innovation and business partnerships, and
- planning for reciprocal delegations.
Council will continue discussions with Ikeda to progress the opportunities identified in the report.
