A delegation from Abbotsford’s Japanese sister city, Fukagawa, visits about every two years, and on this occasion, the visitors are interested in the urban renewal underway in the city’s historic downtown.
Abbotsford Downtown Business Association president Mitch Miller and executive director Tina Stewart led the delegation on a tour of the area Tuesday afternoon, as the Japanese politicians are wrestling with similar issues in Fukagawa’s business district.
“They want to see some of the historic buildings we’ve revitalized,” said Stewart, “so we’re going to show them old buildings that aren’t old anymore.”
Fukagawa is a city of approximately 25,000 surrounded by rice fields and apple and cherry orchards, and known for its progressive agriculture industry.