Suwa is located at the center of Japan’s main island, Honshu, in a mountainous region called “Switzerland of the Orient.” Suwa was a resort for centuries and is known for its abundant hot springs. Like St. Louis, Suwa has a famous botanical garden and popular summer festival with fireworks display. Suwa is an international center of precision machinery, industry and export.

Business Affiliations
Japanese businesses with U.S. operations in St. Louis include Aluman Foils, Inc., Consolidated Gran & Barge, Dick Proctor Imports, Inc., Mitsubishi Trading Co., Marubeni, Nissho-Iwai, Bio Kyowa Chemical Co., and Koken Manufacturing, as well as an additional 25 companies throughout Missouri.

Activities
Mr. Paul Maruyama was born near Suwa, and with the help of former Mayor John H. Poelker, was responsible for establishing Sister City relaions between St. Louis and Suwa in 1974. Since then, the Committee has participated in numerous exchange programs and cultural events. St. Louis and Suwa have exchanged orchestras, dancers, and students. The Committee participants annually in the Salon of Amateur Painters and, working in conjunction with the Lyon and Stuttgart Sister City committees, has won the Reader’s Digest award for cultural art exchange. The St. Louis – Suwa Committee facilitates business communications through trade shows, exhibitions, and seminars for corporations and for small businesses. The Committee also provides homstay, volunteer tour guides and introductions between city officials.

Both cities participates in mayoral and trade delegations and tours. In 1977, a Suwa delegation presented St. Louis a Yukimi lantern and teahouse. The Missouri Botanical Garden houses these gifts in the Japanese Garden. For the 15th anniversary of their Sister Cities relations, the Suwa – Suzuki Junior String Orchestra visited St. Louis.