On January 26th, an observation training exchange meeting between Katori City International Association(KIFA) and IIA was held at the Kokubunji Community Center. A total of 18 people visited from KIFA, including Vice President Kuribayashi, and 2 from Katori City Hall. A total of 15 people from IIA, including Chairman Kubo and 13 members of the steering committee, and 2 from Ichihara City Hall.

KIFA was established in 2004 and has been mainly active in holding Japanese language classes for approximately 1,000 foreign residents and volunteering as interpreter guides for foreign tourists in Katori Shrine and other areas of the city. They visited Ichihara City to hear about the know-how of Ichihara City, which has been in a sister city relationship with Mobile City for 30 years, as it begins its sister city relationship with Saipan City, a U.S. territory.