東京 2020 オリンピック・パラリンピック競技大会において、宮城県蔵王町と茨城県常陸大宮市がホストタウンとなり、
パラオ共和国選手団の事前合宿誘致に合意。
今月21日、都内で行われた締結式にて、村上英人町長と三次真一郎市長、パラオオリンピック委員会のフランク・キヨタ会長が基本合意書に署名しました。
実は、宮城県蔵王町とパラオには繋がりがあり、戦後パラオから日本へ引き揚げてきた人々が蔵王町にある北原尾へ移住したという歴史的背景があります。

On April 21st, the Signing Ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics & Paralympics Training Camp Host Town between Zao Town, Hitachi Omiya City and Palau was held in Tokyo, and Mayor Hideto Murakami of Zao Town, Mayor Shinichiro Mitsugi of Hitachi Omiya City, and President Frank Kyota of the Palau National Olympic Committee signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

Zao Town and Hitachi Omiya City agreed to host Palau’s National Olympic team for training prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. Zao Town has historical ties with Palau where Japanese nationals who lived in Palau during the Japanese administration moved to a region called Kitaharao in Zao Town after the war.

2015年4月8日～9日、天皇皇后両陛下は戦没した人々の慰霊および友好親善関係を鑑みにパラオを御訪問になりました。4月9日、御訪問二周年記念を迎え、ペリリュー島でパラオと日本間の平和と友好関係を祝う式典がペリリュー州政府主催で開催されました。4月9日は天皇皇后両陛下御訪問を祝したペリリュー州の祝日です。

Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Palau on April 8 – 9, 2015 to mourn and pay tribute to those who perished during the war, and to further develop the friendly relations between Japan and Palau. As April 9th marked the 2nd anniversary since Their Majesties visit to Peleliu, Peleliu State Government held a ceremony celebrating and commemorating the Second Anniversary of Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko’s historical visit to the Republic of Palau and the State of Peleliu. April 9th is a State holiday in Peleliu commemorating Their Majesties visit.

Celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of Their Imperial Majesties’ Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko’s visit to Palau, April 8-9 in Peleliu State. pic.twitter.com/aAUYtCwYFs

— Tommy Remengesau, Jr (@TommyRemengesau) 2017年4月19日