The signing of the Brisbane-Kobe Sister City Agreement in 1985 marked Brisbane’s first Sister City relationship. Since this date both cities have worked to strengthen the relationship through civic, cultural and business events.
On this page you can find general information about Kobe as well as download a key facts and opportunity sectors fact sheet.
Kobe and Brisbane have a long history of supporting each other in times of need. In the wake of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in Kobe, the people of Brisbane raised $AUD82,000 to help with the appeal. Conversely, following the 2011 flooding in Brisbane, Kobe City Government, City Assembly and Kobe City Government Workers’ Union donated more than $AUD50,000 to assist in the recovery effort.
The Lord Mayor, accompanied by senior Brisbane business leaders, led a delegation to Kobe City in 2012 and 2016. Brisbane welcomed the Mayor of Kobe, Mr Hisamoto to the city in 2015 to attend the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum (2015APCS), which also allowed an opportunity to recognise the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship and re-sign the agreement.
A number of projects are currently being undertaken including educational and sporting exchanges as well as a range of business activities. Kobe City has been chosen as the pre-training camp for the Australian Paralympic team in the lead up to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.