Permanent Plaque Installed on Chicago's Mag Mile to Commemorate Its “Sister Street” in Osaka, Japan

A plaque commemorating the Sister Street agreement signed four years ago between Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and Midosuji Boulevard in Osaka, Japan has been permanently installed at the northwest corner of Michigan Ave. and Superior St., in front of Tiffany & Co.  The June 6, 2022 installation ceremony was held at the Japan Information Center in the Japanese Consulate in Chicago.

Consul General Hiroshi Tajima congratulated the continuing collaboration between the two cities.  “The Osaka-Chicago Sister city relationship has generated a variety of exchanges and fostered friendship between the two cities,” Tajima said. “With the installation of the commemorative plaque, I hope people passing by on the Magnificent Mile will learn about the wonderful friendship between Osaka and Chicago.”

The Sister Street agreement between the Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue) and Osaka’s Midosuji Boulevard was signed in Chicago on June 6, 2018, in celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Chicago-Osaka sister city relationship.

Photo: Yoshiko Uramaya

The plaque was permanently installed in view of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship next year.   According to the plaque, the agreement aims to “expand the appeal of urban development” for the Magnificent Mile and Midosuji Boulevard, by developing “technical and informational exchanges that support mutually beneficial marketing and tourism initiatives.”  The plaque, installed on the sidewalk, also says such efforts will inspire “the deepening of collaborative ties” and “further advances the cooperative friendship . . .”

The plaque describes Midosuji Boulevard as a 2.6-mile main street lined with “a mix of office buildings and high-end brand stores” that plays “an important role in solidifying the overall image of Osaka as a city with great appeal.” A photo and maps of the boulevard complete the plaque.

Photo: Yoshiko Uramaya

A similar commemorative plaque has already been permanently installed in front of the Osaka City Hall on Midosuji Blvd., carrying information about the Mag Mile.

In addition to Consul General Tajima, attendees of the installation ceremony included Kimberly Bares, President and CEO of the Magnificent Mile Association; Kimiyo Naka, Chair of the Osaka Committee of the Chicago Sister City International; and Yoko Noge, former Chair of that committee.

From Osaka were Makoto Watase (Director General, Public Works Bureau of the Osaka City Government); Mihoko Arai (Manager for International Relations, Business and International Promotion Division, Economic Strategy Bureau of the Osaka City Government); Masato Miyoshi of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (Chairman of the Guidelines Committee, Central Midosuji Network); Yuki Nakamura of Takenaka Corporation (Secretariat, Central Midosuji Network); Takamasa Kadokura and Masaaki Terauchi of Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.;  Taikun Omata and Yoshihito Terahara of Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp.

Representing Japanese corporations in the U.S. were Eisuke Natsuhara (Arakawa Chemical USA Inc.), Yasuyuki Kanada (Sumitomo Electric Carbide, Inc.), Eiji Iwase (Yamazen Inc.), Kiyoshi Yamata (JTB USA, Inc.), and Atsushi Nakao (All Nippon Airways) and others.

In celebrating the fourth anniversary of the street partnership, Tajima congratulated the effort of the people involved. “Everyone has done their best to stay connected, even when face-to-face exchanges were difficult,” he said. “Next year, the Consulate General will be actively involved in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chicago-Osaka sister city relationship.”

Chair of the Osaka Committee Kimiyo Naka shared her excitement of finally getting together after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Today, we are also excited that a plaque for the Sister Street partnership is [permanently installed] on Michigan Avenue,” Naka said.

Representing the Magnificent Mile Association, Kimberly Bares thanked the guests from Osaka for traveling to Chicago to attend the ceremony. “Chicago’s status as a global city is built upon the strength of its international connections,” Bares began. “The Japanese and Japanese American community in Chicago have contributed greatly to our economic, cultural and civic life.”

 “Through this sister street partnership, Chicago and Osaka have ability to develop informational exchanges that support mutually beneficial promotions and tourism initiatives,” she continued. “Partnership between global cities and sharing the best practices through it is more vital today than ever.”

In his remarks, Makoto Watase of the Osaka City Government recalled his 2018 visit to Chicago. “Four years ago, I accompanied the delegation led by then Mayor Yoshimura to visit Chicago to celebrate the 45th anniversary between Chicago and Osaka,” Watase said. “Through the [Sister Street] agreement, we were able to engage in various exchanges with the Magnificent Mile Association.” He added that the 2018 visit to Chicago allowed him and his colleagues to learn about Chicago, as well as the fact that the city and Osaka share “many common things.” Both cities, for example, are pioneers in trade and major centers for commerce, he said. “The 50th anniversary of our relationship as sister cities is a milestone in our history,” he said in conclusion. “Moving forward, I strongly hope that both cities can pursue even greater exchanges that will deepen the bond of friendship.”

 In an interview with The Chicago Shimpo, Watase said that a lot of people in Osaka know about the sister city relationship with Chicago. Four years ago, banners adorned the streets across the city to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the sister city relationship. It welcomed a delegation from Chicago in a large-scale ceremony when it visited Osaka.

Watase’s city now eyes an expansion of exchanges with Chicago as part of the upcoming 50th anniversary. In addition to exchanges through the sister street partnership, Watase and his office consider starting exchanges through other means, including organizations like World Business Chicago, an economic development agency in Chicago.

Watase thinks Osaka and Chicago share a similar mood and character. That might make it possible to bring Osaka’s signature street food, such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki, to Chicago, he said.

Separately, Bares told The Shimpo that Osaka is the only city among Chicago’s sister cities that has a sister street partnership with Chicago. She is thrilled that everyone on Michigan Avenue can now see and learn about the partnership between Osaka and Chicago, as well as between the Mag Mile and Midosuji Blvd.

Bares has been invited to visit Osaka in December. Traveling to Japan may still be difficult, but Bares is hopeful that she will be able to visit Osaka and experience Midosuji. Will we ever see takoyaki or okonomiyaki vendors on the Mag Mile? Water Tower Place and 900 North Michigan Shops across from it have a number of small food vendors, she suggested.  “[That area] could be a perfect place for it,” Bares said.

Photo: Yoshiko Uramaya

The days’ ceremony concluded with the performance of Awa Odori, one of the most popular folk dances in Japan, by the Chicago-based group Mikoren. Clad in bright kimono costumes, the dancers demonstrated the dance with its characteristic feverish rhythm and light steps. According to Mikoren’s Yuko Mitani, the group was formed in 2015 as the only dance group in the Midwest that’s dedicated to Awa Odori. It now has about 20 active members. Mikoren has its own uniquely designed costume for its member dancers. It features the blue skyline of Chicago and purple violets, the state flower of Illinois, on its left sleeve. “We want people to come in direct contact with traditional Japanese arts and know how fun Awa Odori is,” Mitani said. “That’s why we perform at various cultural events.”