SISTER STATE AGREEMENT In order to lay a foundation for the promotion of everlasting friendly relations, the State of Maryland of the United States of America and Kanagawa Prefecture of Japan hereby agree to enter into a sister state affiliation. With mutual prosperity and happiness as their shared objective, both states will endeavor to bring about better understanding and closer cooperation through the implementation of exchange programs in various fields. It is their firm belief that the sister state relationship between Maryland and Kanagawa will not only provide ever-present opportunities to bring their people closer in every conceivable area of cooperation but also help promote mutual understanding among the peoples of the world thus making a contribution to world peace. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Governor of the State of Maryland and the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture have signed this sister state agreement. Done at the City of Annapolis the 23rd day of April one thousand nine hundred and eighty one. HARRY HUGHES KAZUJI NAGASU Governor Governor State of Maryland Kanagawa Prefecture United States of America Japan