Mayor Takayama had visited the United States in the early 1950s, and was impressed with the similarities between Boston and Tokyo, both being cultural and educational centers.  When the Sister City program was established, he approached Mayor Hynes, who invited Mayor Takayama to visit Boston.  It has been a long and fruitful sisterhood, with numerous exchanges of artists, musicians, dancers, and craftspeople, as well as student exchanges and gifts that continue to grace both cities.