Governor of Shiga Prefecture takes tour of NMU campus

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - Japanese delegates toured Northern Michigan University on Sunday to further strengthen ties to learning and growing across nations.

The Governor of Shiga Prefecture Taizō Mikazuki made a stop in Marquette during his visit the Michigan. The tour displayed the partnerships between Sister States Shiga Prefecture and Michigan.

Mikazuki says out of his eight or so visits to Michigan, it’s his first time in the U.P.

“This campus is very, very creative and friendly,” Mikazuki said.

The group toured NMU’s facilities like the Superior Dome. Marquette Area Sister City Partnership Representative Bill Brazier says the tour shows the importance of exchange programs and institutions working together. He says NMU has sponsored sister city scholarships for students from Higashiōmi City for 45 years.

“Mission of international friendship, cultural understanding and the sharing of ideas between the Shiga Prefecture and the State of Michigan program and the Marquette City and Higashiōmi City,” Brazier said.

NMU President Chris Olsen says he’s grateful to continue the exchange of students, faculty and education.

“And their perspectives and their hopes and dreams, which are usually the same as ours,” Olsen said. “On a more practical level, obviously we’re interested in the exchange as the governor said, athletics and for the chamber of commerce and all those opportunities that these kind of exchanges provide.”

Mikazuki says the Sister State Partnership between Michigan and Shiga Prefecture will celebrate 60 years in 2028. So, he hopes to expand the program for businesses in the future.

He says his warm welcome to Marquette felt just like home.

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