Tokamachi City has been involved in international exchange with regions all around the world.

Capital City: Zagreb
Population: Approx. 4.29 million
Official Language: Croatian

Exchange at the 2002 FIFA Japan Korea World Cup

Tokamachi City began its special relationship with the Republic of Croatia in 2002 when the Croatia national team held a two week preparatory camp for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Tokamachi City (17th May to 2nd June). The Croatian team called Tokamachi a “home away from home”, and their Captain, Davor Suker, referred to the friendship and memories made as more valuable than world cup glory.

Tokamachi City’s Croatia Host Town Exchange Initiative

On January 26, 2016, the Japanese government registered Tokamachi City as a Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games “Host Town” for the Republic of Croatia. The government outlines the “Host Town Initiative” as a platform for municipalities throughout Japan to pursue local revitalization through sport and cultural exchange with designated partner countries participating in Tokyo 2020.

Tokamachi City quickly set up a project team aiming to promote exchange, not limited to sport exchange, but also cultural, economic and youth exchange, in the build-up to Tokyo 2020.