The Renton Sister Cities Association (RSCA) is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the City of Renton to enhance citizen understanding and appreciation for other cultures and promote international goodwill and cooperation through people to people relationships world-wide.

Programming provides opportunities which engage Renton residents, organizations, groups, government, and businesses through social, cultural, humanitarian, arts, health, economic, and educational activities, events, and exchanges.

Renton’s Sister Cities are Nishiwaki, Japan (established 1969), and Cuautla, Mexico (established 2001).

Involvement and participation with the two sister cities enhances cultural awareness and mutual appreciation, creates lasting community friendships, provides opportunities for professional exchanges, and strengthens international relationships.

Sister city programs and activities:

• Expanding citizen understanding of other cultures by promoting an awareness of cultural diversity
• Providing opportunities for social, cultural and educational enrichment
• Supporting humanitarian efforts
• Exchanging public art
• Encouraging opportunities for tourist promotion
• Sharing expertise in municipal problem-solving
• Coordinating official delegation visits

This sister city relationship pairs two cities with strikingly similar characteristics:

• Both are located in a valley with a river running through the center of town in Hyogo, Japan
• The climates are very similar
• Both cities are industrial based
• Nishiwaki is known internationally for its production of textiles and also fly-fishing hooks.
• Nishiwaki is located near the city of Kobe, which is one of Seattle’s sister cities. West of the city of Nishiwaki lies Kent’s sister city, and west of there lies Auburn’s sister city.
• Nishiwaki population was about 40,000, at the time of the relationship, which was comparable to Renton’s.