Overview
Our oldest and most active relationship is with Hitachi. Since 1982, over 250 Birmingham youngsters have traveled to Hitachi. We have an agreement where two Birmingham college graduates are employed by the Hitachi Board of Education for years service, and over 20 young people have participated in this program.
Birmingham has also sent Hitachi a 10-foot replica of Vulcan which is displayed in the park overlooking the city. Birmingham received large stone lanterns which greet visitors to the Botanical Garden. Hitachi has sent several delegations of both city and economic development officials to Birmingham to study how we evolved into such a diverse economy. Adult exchanges have included museum groups, environmental groups, women’s rights groups and many other people of varied backgrounds, and positive media attention for this relationship has been common in Japan. Student and business exchanges highlight this relationship!
Locale Information
Hitachi, city, northeastern Ibaraki ken (prefecture), northeastern Honshu, Japan. It lies on the Pacific Ocean coast, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kitaibaraki. The area's industrial development began with the discovery of copper nearby in 1591.
Economy
The main driver of the economy in Hitachi, Japan is the manufacturing industry, with the city being home to several major corporations, including Hitachi, Ltd., a multinational conglomerate that specializes in information technology and power systems. The city also has a strong service sector, with several financial institutions and retail businesses operating in the area. Agriculture is also a significant contributor to the local economy, with the surrounding area producing crops such as rice, vegetables, and fruits.
Fun Facts
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Tourist Places
Tokyo (includes Imperial Palace, Skytree, Mount Fuji, Disneyland); Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; Historic Kyoto; Island Shrine of Itsukushima; Historic Nara; Himeji Castle; Nagasaki; Okinawa
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Climate
Varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
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Sports
Sumo wrestling, karate, judo
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Local Meal
Sushi — small rolls of vinegar-flavored cold cooked rice typically served with a garnish of raw fish; Japanese curry — meat and vegetables in a simple curry sauce with Japanese spices and usually served on top of plain steamed rice
