- Taking New Step in September 2026 toward 60th Anniversary of Relationship in 2028 That Begins with Exchanges over Lake Biwa and Great Lakes -

OTSU, Japan, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor of Shiga Prefecture Taizo Mikazuki will visit the U.S. state of Michigan in September 2026. The relationship between Shiga Prefecture and the State of Michigan began in 1968, inspired by a shared connection to Lake Biwa and the Great Lakes. During the upcoming visit, Mikazuki will seek to ensure that the exchanges between Shiga and Michigan, which have been cultivated thus far, are passed on to future generations, while exploring new partnerships in industry and innovation.

At the heart of the exchange between Shiga and Michigan has been the lakes that symbolize the states. Shiga, home to Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, and Michigan, surrounded by some of the Great Lakes, established a sister state relationship in 1968, based on what they have in common.

For about 60 years since then, Shiga and Michigan have expanded their exchanges to various fields, ranging from education and culture to the economy and the environment, and over 11,000 people have exchanged visits through the dispatch of friendship delegations and the high school student exchange program.

Their ties extend beyond the government-level exchanges. Numerous people from Shiga and Michigan, including students, citizens, educators and company representatives, have visited each other and promoted friendship, thereby bolstering the relationship between Shiga and Michigan.

In September 2025, Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer visited Shiga Prefecture, becoming the first dignitary from overseas to deliver a speech at the Shiga Prefectural Assembly hall. This visit provided an opportunity to reaffirm the bond between the prefecture and the state.

Governors standing beside the pleasure boat "Michigan" on Lake Biwa: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202608204448/_prw_PI1fl_s4S42A3A.jpg 

The partnership between Shiga and Michigan, which began with "bonds of lakes" as its catalyst, has been nurtured for many years through the exchanges of people from both areas.

Governors and members of the Shiga Prefectural Assembly in the assembly hall: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M103190/202608204448/_prw_PI2fl_W6A8e514.jpg 

This scene symbolizes the friendship that has been nurtured for many years as well as the partnership that will be passed on to future generations.

In September 2026, Mikazuki will visit Michigan. In Marquette City, Michigan, with which Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, has a sister city relationship, the governor will meet people who have supported exchanges between the two cities for many years. Mikazuki will also participate in the Mackinac Bridge Walk, one of Michigan's iconic events, with Whitmer. During the event, both governors are expected to exchange views on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the sister state relationship and future exchanges beyond that, while walking across the bridge.

Furthermore, while in Detroit, Mikazuki will visit "Michigan Central," an innovation hub for industry, academia, government and private citizens, as well as local companies. Building on the friendship between Shiga and Michigan that has been cultivated over many years, he will explore new partnership opportunities for the future, including startups, human resource development and regional revitalization.

The relationship between Shiga and Michigan began with their shared connection to "bonds of lakes" and has been nurtured through people-to-people exchanges. Marking the 60th anniversary of the sister state relationship in 2028 as a milestone, Shiga Prefecture will pass on the exchanges cultivated to date to the next generation while evolving them into a new cooperative relationship.