A Special Relationship

With more than 20 companies employing approximately 6,615 people, Japanese companies provide numerous jobs and opportunities to Marysville and Union County. These 6,615 jobs account for 24.4% of the total jobs (27,087) in Union County. Over the past 35 years, these companies collectively have invested nearly $5 billion dollars (Honda has invested $4.4 billion alone) into Union County.

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Friendship City Program 

In 2012, we began a journey to strengthen our community’s ties with Japan. With our close ties to Honda and with our numerous Japanese companies, we eagerly began a journey to strengthen our community’s ties with Japan in December 2013 with the signing of a Friendship Declaration Agreement with Yorii-machi, Japan.

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Japanese Business Missions

City of Marysville and County representatives travel to Japan biennially to meet with the parent companies of Japanese-owned facilities operating in Union County. The mission also includes goodwill visit to Yorii-machi and attendance at the Midwest U.S. – Japan Association Conference. 

 

Friendship Garden

In 2015, the City of Marysville completed Partners Park in Uptown Marysville which included a Friendship Garden. The Friendship Garden was sponsored by Honda of America Mfg., Inc. and included a Japanese stone and Cherry Tree, both donated by the citizens of Yorii-machi.

 

Special Gift to Yorii-machi

To honor our relationship with Yorii-machi, the Marysville-Yorii Friendship Committee worked with Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Tool Technologies, Celebrity, Quantum Technologies, Nissin International Transport, and Marysville EVSD to create a 3D printed Pottersburg Covered Bridge replica as a gift to the citizens of Yorii-machi. The gift was delivered in-person to Yorii-machi City officials.

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Japanese Language Program

Marysville Exempted Village School District (MEVSD) began its first Japanese language program during the 2014-2015 school year. The program has since grown to the largest in Ohio.

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Student Exchange Program

In 2015, seven Marysville students travelled to Yorii-machi, beginning the Marysville-Yorii Student Exchange Program. Since then, students have traveled to Yorii-machi in 2017 and 2019, while students from Yorii-machi have traveled to Marysville in 2016 and 2018. 

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Japanese Cultural Event

Marysville students have held annual Japanese Cultural Events to raise funds for the Student Exchange Program. To assist with the exchange program, the Honda Foundation recently provided a $20,000 grant.

 

Marysville Schools Mission

In 2014, working closely with the Consulate General’s Office in Detroit, Marysville EVSD received a grant from the Japan Foundation to send Marysville High School Principal Aaron Cook to Japan, which included a trip to Yorii. In 2019, Marysville STEM School Principal Ken Chaffin also traveled to Japan.