TRADE DEFICIT WITH JAPAN TO BE REDUCED BY BYFC AND YAMAGATA
BOULDER PRODUCTS EXPO AND CULTURE FAIR SET FOR OCT. 31-NOV.2 IN YAMAGATA, JAPAN
BOULDER, COLORADO--July 22, 1998--The city of Yamagata in Japan will purchase tens of thousands of dollars of local product to be sold at The Fall Boulder Sister City Festival scheduled to be held at their version of the Pearl Street Mall in late October and early November. The Boulder-Yamagata City Friendship Committee (BYFC), a Boulder Non-Profit Sister City Organization, has firmed up plans to journey to Yamagata for the event which is both a cultural exposition and a Boulder product trade show. The Chef from Flagstaff House Restaurant will also be joining the BYFC and, in conjunction with a local hotel there, will prepare the same meal offered to the Emperor and Empress of Japan on their visit to Boulder.

Members of the BYFC traveling to Yamagata for the event are inviting others from the community to accompany them. The event will last 3 days, then various tours being offered in conjunction with the event will commence, including Hot Spring and Mtn. Bike tours. Charlie Pellerin, a BYFC Co-Chair, said, "The last time our group went to Yamagata we were completely spoiled by the City and their generous hospitality." This really is the opportunity of a lifetime for businesses and individuals alike. BYFC Co-chair Yoko Tamaki-Brandt added, "Most of us will stay about a week but we have the means to organize custom itineraries lasting longer. We have many people in our group with experience in Japan so it would be a perfect way for someone to sample Japan safely and efficiently."

The city of Yamagata hopes to promote the exchange of culture between local residents and as many Boulderites as possible. Although normally such cultural exchanges do not include product sales, they have decided that since Boulder is a very entrepreneurial city, it would be appropriate and well received. The shipping, insurance and sale of these Boulder products will handled by the City Government of Yamagata.

The next meeting is set for Monday August 3, 1998 at 6:00pm at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce - it is a potluck dinner meeting open to all. The agenda will include travel preparations, travel costs and product presentation. For more information on the committee, the trip or the opportunity to sell product, please attend the next meeting or visit their web site at Boulder/Yamagata Friendship Committee
For those who aren't on-line feel free to call Yoko Tamaki-Brandt, 447-3117 or John Shaw at (303) 931-6031.