San Jose-Okayama Sister Cities (SJOSC) is the official community committee recognized by the City of San Jose in working with the City of Okayama, Japan and the City of San Jose, CA, USA. We were formed in 2015 by a group of local all volunteer community members. Some are Executive Directors of other organizations, some have their own businesses, some are government representatives and University representatives. We are working toward activities to celebrate the 60th Anniversary in 2017 of our SJ-Okayama relationship, existent since 1957, by the citizen diplomacy movement begun by USA President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956.
Forever in our hearts is former US Secretary of Commerce under US President William Jefferson Clinton and former US Secretary of Transportation under US President George W. Bush, Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. Norm was always in support of the sister city relationship and honored us being our Honorary Chair. He will remain so as his legacy serves to remind us of what this is all about.
New Honorary Advisor: Shin Koyamada, Koyamada International Foundation
Native son of Okayama, Japan. An Actor, A Producer, A Martial Artist, A philanthropist, A husband and father.
Shin has been in support of the San Jose-Okayama Sister Cities for a long time. He and his wife, Nia Lyte, were emcees for the 60th Anniversary Cultural Exchange Performances at the Hammer Theater in San Jose attended by local Silicon Valley residents and officials and 115 citizens, business people, government officials and former exchange students from Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. We are pleased and privileged to have him!
HOMESTAY PROGRAM IN OKAYAMA Summer 2026, July 20-27
Summer 2026 Exchange Deadline extended to May 30th, 2026!
Summer 2026 Homestay in Okayama (IRL)
July 20-27, 2026
Application: https://forms.gle/KJYeC8guWbiD7Eny9
Costs: RT airfare San Francisco to Narita to Haneda to Okayama and back approximately $2500. All expenses (housing, activities, food) will be provided by the vetted host families in Okayama or the City of Okayama, depending upon the activity schedule.
All of the group must travel together.
Two adult chaperones (provide their own RT airfare and hotel in Okayama)
Zoom meetings and one in-person meeting required of students before departure to prepare students about Japanese culture and expectations.
Questions? Email: sjokayama1957@gmail.com
Our logo was created by Board of Directors member, Ryan Kawamoto and approved by the Board of Directors of SJOSC.
CA Corp #3831952
His happi coat reflects both San Jose City and Okayama City logos
He loves the Japanese Friendship Garden in Kelley Park because it was modeled after Korakuen in Okayama which is one of the three great landscape gardens in Japan!
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