Chiba ― Montreux (1996)

Kanto | Chiba City

City Partnerships

The friendship pact between one of the large urban centers that make up the Greater Tokyo Area and Switzerland’s most “jazzy” city was the result of a long and careful process. And was worth the wait.

The city of lush greenery and waterfronts

The capital of Chiba Prefecture located on the Boso Peninsula, Chiba City is also home to Chiba Port, a major Japanese seaport. Although its surroundings are known by foreign visitors for hosting Tokyo Disney Resort and the Narita International Airport, Chiba City also boasts prosperous industries and prolific economic activities, and is chosen by many people as a place to live and work for its relaxing atmosphere and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

The historical roots and heritage of the city are ancient, yet Chiba City nowadays conveys the image of a modern city in constant evolution. From the Makuhari New City economic zone (stadium, convention center, shopping mall, business centers, etc.) to the contemporary art of the Hoki Museum or the Chiba Urban Monorail (the longest suspended monorail in the world), the city’s development promises a bright future. The city will even host seven major events during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics!

Looking for the perfect match

Chiba City’s connection with Switzerland occurred in that very context, a little more than 20 years ago. In June 1995, the city’s authorities gathered members of the local assembly and citizens into a commission with a very specific mission: finding Chiba City its first European twin city. After six rounds of meetings, a field survey and in-depth analysis of results, the commission submitted its final report in January 1996, stating that Montreux, Switzerland, would be the most appropriate city due to its values, geography and history.

Smoke on the Water

Despite hosting less than 30,000 inhabitants, Montreux is nonetheless known all around the world. In 1972, British rockers Deep Purple released “Smoke on the Water”, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most famous anthems, which opens with the line: “We all came out to Montreux / On the Lake Geneva shoreline”. Since 1967, the Montreux Jazz Festival has attracted the world’s most iconic contemporary musicians, and has grown into a global phenomenon. Artists such as Queen and David Bowie recorded numerous albums in the city, and lived there a quiet life away from the paparazzi.

Nestled between Lake Geneva, vineyards and the snow-covered Alps, Montreux is also a popular destination for all those seeking to unwind. The nearby Château de Chillon, the UNESCO Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, or the Montreux Music and Convention Centre (2M2C) can all be reached via a sunny lakeside road brimming with flowers.

Planting the seeds of tomorrow

Speaking of flowers, Japanese visitors might be surprised to notice the presence of a familiar silhouette on one of the ponds of the Parc de l’Europe. In 2017, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signature of a friendship pact between Chiba City and Montreux (on May 28, 1996), the two cities exchanged seeds of Oga lotuses and narcissi, their respective local flowers.

Thanks to the network generated by the friendship pact, exchanges have indeed been fruitful in the past two decades: an exchange program for young citizens has taken place on a yearly basis, and a music festival called “Bayside Jazz Chiba” was started in Chiba in 1998. Recently, Chiba Mayor Toshihito Kumagai and City Assembly Chairman Yasuo Kogo met Swiss National Council member and Montreux Mayor Laurent Wehrli during their visit to Montreux in October 2016. They renewed their friendship pact, and discussed the possibility of a joint event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Now more than ever, everyone can agree that the Chiba City commission did find a perfect match back in 1995!