Sister Cities
Frankston Australia and Susono Japan

Susono Japan
Frankston Susono Friendship Association

The sister city relationship between Frankston and Susono was established on 22 February 1982. The relationship has been very active and passionate by both cities. The relationship was facilitated by the Yazaki company. Susono is the world headquarters of Yazaki and Frankston is the location of the Oceania operations. During both 2011 and 2012 the two cities are celebrating 30 years together.

Japanese Festival 2012

When: Saturday 25 February from 11:00am - 5:00pm
Where: Kananook Creek Boulevard, between Wells and Playne Streets, (behind McDonalds, Frankston)

Celebrating 30 years of the Sister City relationship between Frankston City and Susono, Japan
Come and experience Japanese culture at this special event featuring lots of free activities including Taiko drumming, Japanese dance, Japanese flower arranging, origami, martial art demonstrations, bonsai demonstrations, shiatsu massage, kite making and flying, local school activities and food vendors.

Hosted by the Frankston Susono Friendship Association - a volunteer committee which administers the Sister City relationship on behalf of Council and the community.

Enquiries: Chris Hodgins, 9784 1043 or chris.hodgins@frankston.vic.gov.au

The Association

FSFA is a group of volunteer citizens from the City of Frankston who administer the sister city relationship on behalf of the Frankston Council. The Susono side (Susono Overseas Friendship Association) is administered in a similar way. All the activities/ projects are created and undertaken by the Associations. Its role is:

  • Enable the citizens of Frankston to become Global citizens by sponsoring and facilitating interaction with another culture
  • Promote and assist development of relationships with Japanese related organisations and businesses
  • Promote travel to and from Japan
  • Promote and celebrate Japanese culture through performances, displays and exhibitions 
  • Give the citizens of Frankston life changing experiences 
  • Promote the continued development of students through cultural exchanges and study abroad programs in both Frankston and Susono

Susono City is located on the Pacific coast of Honshu Island, 150 kilometres (94 miles) south of Tokyo, at the foot of Mount Fuji. Susono has a population of over 50,000 residents.

Some of Our Achievements

  • FSFA has won 8 awards from the Australian Sister Cities Association including best overall program in 2002 and 2007. We now have a street named after our sister city in the new precinct by Kananook Creek. It is called SUSONO WAY
  • In 2010 will be facilitating the establishment of up to 5 sister school relationships between primary schools in Frankston and in Susono. There are at least 7 primary schools in Frankston teaching Japanese as a second language. FSFA has also arranged for 5 student bands to travel to Japan and perform including a 20 member big band from Frankston High school representing Victoria ta the World Expo in Nagoya in 2005.

Forthcoming activities

  • 15 and 16 October 2011 - 30th anniversary celebrations in Susono Japan
  • 25 February 2012 - Japanese Festival at Kananook Creek Boulevard from 11.00am to 5.00pm
    Come along and join in the fun and experience the Japanese culture - Lots of free activites. 
Page updated Thursday, 23 February 2012   Was this information useful?