ACTION CENTER

International Relationships

Sister Cities is seeking students who would like to be part of a student delegation to Ashikaga, Japan. Click HERE for more information.

Assistant English Language Teachers (ALT) at the junior high school level are also being sought for Ashikaga, Japan. Click HERE for information on how you can become involved.

Sister Cities International is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. To learn more about Sister Cities International go to www.sister-cities.org.

The cities of Ashikaga, Japan and San Pedro, Mexico are Sister Cities with Springfield. Killarney, Ireland has entered into a twin city agreement with Springfield.

Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan

General Information

Population:	165,548
Area:	177.82 squared
Households:	55,468
Population Density:	9316/1 km squared

Ashikaga City
click HERE to link to Ashikaga


Ashikaga is a city located in the southern most point of Tochigi prefecture, approximately 80 kilometers north of Tokyo. It is a medium size city covering an area of about 178 square kilometers. Ashikaga city has long been known for its textile industry, but it has recently gained a reputation as a general, commercial and industrial city, centering on aluminum, metal, machine and plastic industries. Numerous cultural relics still remain in Ashikaga. These include Ashikaga School, the oldest school in Japan,	and Banaji Temple which is closely connected with the Ashikaga clan. We are aggressively creating a new culture for Ashikaga, working now to complete the NEW ASHIKAGA PLAN, a plan which one day will bring a uniquely futuristic city to Japan. A few of our specific goals include sound fiscal management with an emphasis on the streamlining of a satisfactory city infrastructure, promotion of various industries, and development of culture and human resources through learning.

San Pedro, Mexico

When one hears that the San Pedro agricultural colony, founded in 1870, was known for being the core of development in the Laguna Region up until the end of the nineteenth century, they probably will not believe it. However after learning about the cotton boom that this region experienced, reviewing its history, and having the pleasure of walking around its streets, haughtily adorned by its architecture, we find the reasons for such saying. This place, which was constituted as a town in 1873, was home to Francisco I. Madero and where he wrote the �The Presidential Succession of 1910� It was also the setting for the memorable battle of April 12th, where Francisco Villa defeated the federal forces of General Huerta. For more on SanPedro, click HERE.

Killarney, Ireland

Two hundred years after Killarney first made its mark as a visitor destination the area continues to grow in popularity.

The town boasts every accommodation type, from the freedom of the caravan and camping park to the luxury of the five-star hotel. Click HERE to link to Killarney

County Kerry, Ireland

As for places to dine, at the last count there were over 70 - and the intense competition means keen prices and high standards. While good food and accommodation are important, these have merely complemented Killarney’s long history as a tourist destination.

The essence of Killarney is its natural beauty. Worshipped by druids, fought over by chieftains, coveted by landlords, Killarney Valley with its forests and castles and monasteries is in the words of Arthur Vincent, who presented Muckross to the nation, ‘a playground for the world’. We want you to enjoy this great natural treasure.