• Western Australia and Japan's Hyogo Prefecture celebrate 35th anniversary of Sister State relationship
• Relationship to be re-affirmed at a ceremony tonight (April 24)

Premier and State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Mark McGowan will meet the Governor of Hyogo Prefecture today to celebrate the 35th anniversary of our Sister State relationship.

Together, Mr McGowan and Governor Toshizo Ido will sign a fresh agreement re-affirming the two parties' ongoing commitment to the relationship at a ceremony tonight.

Established in 1981, WA's friendship with Hyogo is the State's oldest Sister State relationship, with 2016-17 marking its 35th anniversary.

Governor Ido is joined in Western Australia by a delegation of more than 60 people, including representatives from the political, environmental, aquaculture and tourism sectors.

During their visit, members of the delegation will travel to Albany and Margaret River, meet representatives of the Western Australian Parliament, tour the Australian Marine Complex, take part in a tourism seminar and visit Curtin University.

A number of events have already taken place to celebrate the 35th anniversary, including the Western Australian Youth Orchestra's successful tour of the Hyogo Prefecture in December 2016.

The Western Australian Government has maintained a trade and investment office in Kobe, Hyogo, since 1989.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"Western Australia's friendship with the Hyogo Prefecture is built on mutual respect and understanding, and has been deepened through 35 years of social and economic exchanges.

"On behalf of the people of Western Australia, I am honoured to re-affirm this commitment and look forward to taking this relationship into its fourth decade and beyond.

"The relationship was borne out of collaboration in the iron ore industry, but it now stretches into many aspects of the economy and community including tourism, trade, culture, education and sport.

"As the member for Rockingham, I am also delighted to note that the City of Rockingham and Hyogo's Ako City will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Sister City relationship this year."