Massachusetts and Hokkaido have enjoyed over 100 years of special connections, dating back to Japan’s Meiji Restoration.  William Wheeler, a Concordian, traveled to Japan during the late 19th century to share agricultural innovations, and for the last two decades, students, teachers, and community members in Concord, Carlisle and Nanae have been following in his footsteps. From school and community delegation trips to one another’s country, to joint band concerts at famous concert halls in both nations…from exchanges of photos and video via mail to realtime Skype communication…the Concord-Nanae-Network continues to bridge gaps in distance and culture to create lasting bonds of friendship and peace.