During the October 7, 2025, City Council meeting, Councilor Sara Stephens shared a thoughtful surprise from Coos Bay’s sister city of Choshi, Japan. The gifts came from a group of fourth-grade students who recently participated in a language and cultural exchange project learning about Coos Bay.

Councilor Stephens explained that during her visit to Choshi two years ago, she met Mr. Okada, who serves as a liaison for sister city relationships. He recently led a workshop with students, introducing them to Coos Bay and English vocabulary. As part of the project, the students created and sent hand-decorated fans and other small gifts to share with the City of Coos Bay as a gesture of friendship.

As Councilor Stephens passed the gifts around the Council Chambers, councilors and staff admired the craftsmanship and detail of the students’ work, noting the care and creativity that went into each item. Among the artwork was the city’s mascot, a friendly green character known throughout Choshi.

Along with the fans, the students included copies of Choshi’s Public Relations Magazine and a Spring Tourism Campaign publication, offering a glimpse into life in their coastal community. The City of Coos Bay was honored to receive these tokens of goodwill and looks forward to sharing photos of the gifts with the students in Choshi to express gratitude for their kindness and enthusiasm.

The gifts will be displayed in the City’s sister city area at City Hall as a symbol of the long-standing friendship between Coos Bay and Choshi and as a reminder of the cultural connections that continue to grow between the two coastal communities.