By ELLEN ENDO
RAFU SHIMPO

ALHAMBRA —?For two former Alhambra mayors, the sister-city connection between Alhambra and Kirishima, Japan has a special meaning.

In 2007, during his first term as mayor, Gary Yamauchi explored the possibility of establishing a sister-city affiliation between the two cities. Yamauchi went on to serve three terms as Alhambra’s chief executive, and the sister-city friendship has lasted for 17 years.

Yamauchi’s connection is familial and centers around a legendary ancestor named Saigo Takamori (1828-1877), a nobleman who became one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history. Saigo is still revered as a hero for possessing samurai virtues — bravery, generosity, and excellent swordsmanship. Throughout the region, he continues to be revered as a legendary hero with his image depicted on everything from statues to cookies.

Alhambra City Councilmember Jeff Koji Maloney served as mayor in 2022. Coincidentally, he has family ties to Kagoshima, the prefecture where Kirishima is located. While there, Maloney met with Kirishima’s mayor, Shinichi Nakashige, and had the opportunity to experience his mother’s homeland, Kagoshima, a prefecture in southern Kyushu renowned for its coastline scenery.

The two reconnected on Oct. 25 when Nakashige paid a visit to Alhambra and was presented with the key to the city, among other gifts. Yamauchi arranged for Nakashige to receive a personalized Los Angeles Dodgers baseball jersey bearing the number 17, possibly in recognition of the 17-year friendship between the two cities … or could it represent something else?

Among the dignitaries welcoming Nakashige were Vice Consul General of Japan Naoshige Aoshima, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, Assemblymember Mike Fong, and current Alhambra mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler,

With a population of 123,640, Kirishima is the prefecture’s second-largest city and home of Kagoshima Airport. Kirishima was recently dubbed a “technopolis” with the arrival of high-tech corporations such as Sony and Kyocera.

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