About Us

Finding President Eisenhower's idea of a "people-to-people movement" to be to his liking, in 1961, the Mayor of Fukuoka chose Oakland as one possible sister city candidate. Mayor Abe met with the Mayor of Oakland during the September 1961 Japan-America Conference of Mayors and Chambers of Commerce Presidents. A Sister City Committee was established as a result of that meeting, and the sister city relationship was formalized a year later. Read about our past presidents.

About Oakland, California

Nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the coastal hills, Oakland's got it all: balmy temperatures hovering in the 60s, world-class arts and entertainment, top-flight restaurants and hotels, and an abundance of recreation. What's more, prices are among the most reasonable in the area. Oakland is a modern-day boomtown with a rich cultural heritage. Once home to Ohlone tribe of Native Americans, Mexican rancheros, and gold seekers, it's now a haven for high tech and dot-coms. It's also one of the nation's most ethnically integrated cities: Oaklanders speak more than 100 languages and dialects. Leisure and business travelers alike enjoy its proximity to San Francisco, Wine Country, and Silicon Valley.

About Fukuoka, Japan

Fukuoka City lies on the northern coast of Kyushu, the southernmost of the four main islands of Japan. It has a population of 1.3 million people (2 million in the metropolitan area) making it the 8th largest city in Japan. With historical buildings such as shrines and temples together with interesting modern architecture, a bustling central shopping district and a generous splash of green, Fukuoka is an enjoyable and varied city. And while Fukuoka offers all the conveniences and cultural facilities of a major city, its slower pace allows visitors to relax.

OFSCA Board of Directors

2023-2024 Officers

President:                                  Gary Tominaga

1st Vice President:                    Ed Bantilan

2nd Vice President:                  Valerie Lee 

Recording Secretary:               Jason Lambert

Treasurer:                                 Liane Scott

Corresponding Secretary:   Linda Nakamura

Term Ending 6/30/2025

Aiko Dahan

Valerie Lee

Linda Nakamura

Michael Rose

Joseph Samaniego

Dan Westerlin

Term Ending 6/30/2026

Mark Frey

Jaclyn Funasaki

JJ Kotler

Julie Miller

Prathana Pandey

Paul Shimotake

Term Ending 6/30/2027

Jana Hopkins

Jenn Murawski

Brittany Nakamura

Shari Santos 

Susan Svensson

Gary Tominaga


Contact Information:

Oakland Fukuoka Sister City Association
P.O. Box 13022
Oakland, CA 94661

E-mail: ofsca1962@gmail.com