MONMOUTH Town Council welcome cultural and educational links with the Japanese region of Ishikawa-machi, but not an official twinning.
The Council decided to stick by its earlier resolution to encourage cultural and educational links after receiving a letter from the Town Mayor of Ishikawa.
Cllr Mrs Eileen Goodrich said the letter spoke about cultural and education links, not necessarily a twinning. It was envisaged that there would be more of a "friendship link" than a formal twinning, partly because of the distances involved. People realised that Japan was a long way away.
Cllr Tim Buckland said they should stand by an earlier press release which said the Council welcomed cultural and educational links, but did not want twinning.
Member of the public Mrs Joan Ward, who was given permission to speak after a vote by councillors, asked what Monmouth had to offer in the form of a cultural exchange. "We've got five housing estates and a main street. Why would the Japanese want to send a delegation to see one street. I am astonished to think they want this link with us," she said.
The letter from the Mayor of Ishikawa, Mr Tatsuhiro Nishimaki, said the town had a population of 20,000 and was in the south of Fukushima Prefecture. It had a long history and tradition and was known as the home of the liberal democratic movement which originated in Japan about 120 years ago.
"Based on various exchanges at citizen level, we would like to promote the friendly relationships and establish the sister city relation with your city," he wrote.
"As the first formal step we will send our staff to your city in order for them to have a good look around the city. I would be extremely grateful if you could make (the) necessary arrangements to proceed in this matter."