The Aberystwyth-Yosano Friendship Association have this week hosted a delegation from Yosano, Japan.

The group consisted of five high school students accompanied by the Mayor of Yosano and two members of his staff.

Whilst the students are here for 10 days, the mayor’s visit was confined to three days during which he visited the university and local businesses in order to explore possible joint collaborations that would economically benefit both Yosano and Aberystwyth.

The exchange was initiated by the late Frank Evans who, having suffered as a prisoner of war in both Singapore and Japan and having visited Japan in 1983 made it his wish to facilitate the exchange of young people between Aberystwyth and Kaya-Cho.

Over 25 years, numerous pupils from Penweddig and Penglais have experienced the visit to Japan with Japanese students similarly visiting Aberystwyth.

The association is very appreciative of the support given by the town’s two secondary schools and the willingness of local families to host the Japanese students.

In 2019 it will be turn of Aberystwyth pupils to visit Yosano and should there be individuals who wish to be part of this friendship association they can contact Ceredig Davies at Mona Liza, Aberystwyth.