From 4 to 10 September, a delegation from Frankfurt am Main, led by Lord Mayor Mike Josef, visited its partner city, Yokohama. For many participants, it was their first visit to Japan, and so this trip not only provided an opportunity to build on economic, cultural and environmental issues and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the city partnership, but also to gain entirely new insights and forge new contacts.
During this visit, the two cities held a wide-ranging exchange of views on a variety of topics and undertook site visits focusing on sustainable urban development, innovation and economic development, as well as educational and staff exchanges. In the process, they also reached a common understanding regarding the future development of their cooperation.

Discussions on sustainable urban development and urban policy

Mayor Josef spoke at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum (APCC Forum), where, as a representative of one of the signatory cities to the European Circular Cities Declaration, he presented Frankfurt’s initiatives. 

He emphasised the importance of sustainable urban development and international cooperation. Furthermore, during discussions with representatives from the City of Yokohama, the two cities exchanged views on initiatives relating to multicultural coexistence and city administration, as well as on global urban strategies, and reached a common understanding on how to further strengthen cooperation between the cities.

They also visited DeNA Co., Ltd., a company which is similarly committed to creating new venues and programs for the community, with a view to revitalising the surrounding neighbourhood and fostering community cohesion. The trip culminated in the joint organisation of the ‘Frankfurt Meets Yokohama’ business seminar, which provided an opportunity to forge valuable contacts and explore potential areas of cooperation between the two cities in the fields of innovation and start-ups.

Student exchanges and cultural exchange

On the subject of education, the delegation visited Sakuragaoka Municipal High School in Yokohama, which has been running a regular student exchange program with the Schule am Ried in Frankfurt for almost ten years. 

By taking part in the school’s cultural festival and a tea ceremony, the delegation got to know the pupils and strengthened its ties with the young people who will shape the future. The delegation also visited the mural at the Yokohama University of Art and Design, which was created in 2017 by the Frankfurt-based graffiti artist Justus Becker as part of an artist exchange program, and discussed potential collaboration in the fields of art and culture.

Outlook

The mutual understanding of cultural differences and economic strengths gained during this trip has not only brought the two cities a little closer together once again, but has also further strengthened the already solid foundation of the city partnership, paving the way for even closer cooperation in a wide range of areas in the future. It is important to both sides that the partnership is not based solely on photographs of politicians shaking hands, but rather that, at all levels – political, economic and social – the connection between the two cities becomes tangible and experienced by the people. The newly forged relationships – not only with government bodies but also with a wide range of other stakeholders – will play a key role in achieving precisely this in the future. The next significant milestone in this collaboration will be the Green x Expo in Yokohama next year.