Bandung, Hamamatsu Extend Sister City Partnership

KBRN, Bandung: The Bandung City Administration and the Hamamatsu City Administration of Japan have officially extended their sister city partnership, first established in 2014.

The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Bandung City Hall on Monday, August 11, 2025, in the presence of officials from both cities.

The agreement builds on a collaboration that began with a Letter of Intent signed on December 19, 2014, and was formalized through an initial MoU on June 26, 2019.

Although the partnership was temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now been revitalized with a focus on two key areas: human resource development and the strengthening of industrial and economic sectors.

Hamamatsu Mayor Yusuke Nakano expressed appreciation for the enduring friendship between the two cities. “We have long collaborated with Bandung in various fields. This renewed MoU opens new opportunities to improve the welfare of our communities,” he said.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan emphasized that one of the top priorities is workforce training, particularly in the nursing and technical sectors, to prepare qualified personnel for employment in Hamamatsu.

“We are creating opportunities for skilled workers, not just laborers. Given the high level of expertise required and the extensive training involved, training 200 individuals annually would be an excellent start,” Farhan said.

The partnership also includes the adoption of clean water management technology, continuing a program initiated in 2017 in collaboration with the Bandung City Administration-Owned Clean Water Company (PDAM).

According to Farhan, this sector remains critical due to the growing demand for improved water services in Bandung.

In addition, the collaboration is expanding into education, with a focus on joint research in education, medicine, and psychology through a partnership with the Indonesian University of Education (UPI).

The signing of the MoU is seen as a strategic step to strengthen Bandung’s international relations and deliver tangible benefits to its residents through the transfer of knowledge, technology, and job opportunities. ***

Translator: Misni Parjiati

Editor: Lasti Martina