Meeting in Calgary between Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu, Mayor of Rocky Tammy Burke and Consulate General of Japan in Calgary Shigenobu Kobayashi (Photo Courtesy of the Town of Rocky Mountain House)

By Adam Ophus

Economic Growth

Rocky moves to increase relations with Japan

Jan 22, 2020 | 10:38 AM

On January 16, Rocky Mountain House Mayor Tammy Burke met with Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Kaycee Madu, and Consulate-General of Japan in Calgary, Shigenobu Kobayashi.

The meetup stemmed from Alberta and its Japanese sister province of Hokkaido creating a connection in 1984 with the Japanese town of Kamikawa being paired with Rocky Mountain House.

The original intent of the twin province and town agreements was to foster greater economic development and relationships.

Burke used the Jan. 16 meeting as an opportunity to bring a few economically beneficial ideas to the table to help benefit the community.

“Mayor Burke initiated this discussion as a way to connect with Japanese businesses and investors, to promote Rocky Mountain House as a place to do business,” explained Laura Button, Communications Coordinator for the Town of Rocky Mountain House.

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Tourism, value-added agri-foods and metallurgical coal were brought up to Kobayashi as various reasons to add focus from Japan on Rocky and Clearwater County.

Coal is one of Japan’s biggest imports, as much of it is used in its steelmaking, and as of 2018 Alberta exported nearly $2 billion worth of goods to Japan.

“It was a very optimistic meeting, and we have plans to meet again in the near future to continue advancing economic opportunities,” said Burke.

Rocky has taken part in many student exchanges and homestays with Kamikawa over the past 36 years, facilitated through the Rocky-Kamikawa Friendship Society.