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	May 23rd, 2002: Mr. Toshiya Mita, President of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and a fourteen-member delegation visit New York and meet with Deputy Commissioners for Special Projects and Information Technology and Telecommunications; the Majority Leader in the City Council, The Honorable Joel Rivera; and Commissioner Jonathan Greenspun of the Community Assistance Unit.

	April 20th, 2002: The Sister City Program hosts the Saeko Ichinohe and Company Japanese dance event.

	April 8th, 2002: 6th Annual Tokyo-New York City Amateur Ceramic Art Competition takes place in honor of the New York City-Tokyo Sister City partnership. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Ceramic Artist Friendship Association of the Nippon Gallery.

	2001 New York City's Oldest Sister City provides aid to September 11 Relief Efforts


	2000 The Sister City Program and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government devoted the year 2000 to the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the New York City-Tokyo Sister City relationship and the implementation of the "New Millennium" projects. Reaffirmation of the Sister City Relationship Governor Ishihara in Tokyo and Mayor Giuliani in New York City signed a Proclamation reaffirming 40 years of friendship and Sister City partnership. Creation of a Video In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the New York City--Tokyo Sister City relationship, the Sister City Program created a video highlighting the landmarks of 40 years of friendship. The video was made possible under the leadership of Ambassadors Rabb and Reed, co-chairmen of the Tokyo Advisory Committee, and thanks to the coordinating efforts of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government New York Representative Office, Hudson River Pictures, the Office of New Media of the City of New York, Anchorman Mr. Bill Beutel, and Actress Ms. Miyuki Daly. April - Support of the Sister City Program to the dance presentation of "The Tale of Genji" performed by the New York-based Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company. The Saeko Ichinohe Dance Company performed an interpretation of the 11th-century-Japanese novel "The Tale of Genji" at the Hunter College in New York City. August - Coordination of the High School Diplomats' visit to New York City. The Sister City Program organized a tour of City Hall for the Japanese students coming to New York City via the High School Diplomats' exchange program. May - Cosponsoring of the Concert "We Sing for Global Peace with our Heart" at Carnegie Hall - The concert featured Beethoven's Symphony No.9 and traditional Japanese music pieces performed by the New York Symphonic Ensemble and a Japanese choir of individuals with disabilities, "We are the Choir that sings with our Heart." The following choirs also participated: Kyoto National Concert of Symphony No.9 for Ode to Lives, United Nations Singers, Hanamizuki, Harmony Basket, The Men's Glee Club of New York, Nippon Club Women's Chorus, Sakura. May - Participation in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden's Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Sister City Program represented the Mayor's Office at the opening ceremony of the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival and attended the dedication of the new addition of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden to the Japanese Garden of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. March - The Sister City Program co-sponsored the 4th Annual New York--Tokyo Friendship Amateur Ceramic Competition. Every year since 1997, the Sister City Program and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government have co-sponsored the New York--Tokyo Friendship Amateur Ceramic Competition, in which New York and Tokyo amateur ceramists present their works for selection. The best contestants are rewarded by an exhibition of the winning pieces at the Nippon Gallery. The first prize is a round-trip ticket to Tokyo. The Ceramic Artist Friendship Association, Inc., aims at furthering the cultural ties between the Sister Cities of Tokyo and New York City. March - The Sister City Program hosted the visit of the 5th Japanese Culture Kawasaki Mission to New York City. The Miyauchi Kimono Dressing School visited New York City on behalf of the Culture Kawasaki Mission. The Sister City Program organized a tour of City Hall and of the United Nations' headquarters and was presented a splendid Uchikake Kimono. The farewell reception featured a concert by students from New York University, honoring the two cultures. March - Mayoral message to the Governor of Tokyo in honor of 2000 Peace Day. March 10 has been established "Tokyo Metropolitan Peace Day" as a reminder of the Tokyo's oath to never repeat the ravages of war. The Sister City Program selects New York City's contestants for the Tokyo-City 9th Annual Half Marathon. Every year, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government invites the Sister City Program to participate to the Tokyo-City Annual Half Marathon. The Sister City Program organizes the screening and selection of the New York participants. Theresa Behrendt, President of the Sister City Program accompanied and supported the Sister City Program's runners Dr. Kimberly Griffin, surgeon at the intensive care unit of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, and Ms. Lisa Matthews from the Department of Transportation of the City of New York the Sister City Program. The Sister City Program Coordinated and sponsored the Tokyo--New York City Children's Art Exhibition with the partnership of the Board of Education of New York. Every year, children from New York and Tokyo's selected elementary schools participate in an annual art exchange program whose goal is to exhibit works of art from children in Tokyo in New York City, and works of art from children in New York in Tokyo.