In recent years, the exchange of information has advanced so much that it has crossed country lines. Due to this advancement, the importance of international agencies and international relations at the local level has reached throughout the world. Within this, Japan's public organizations have been aggressively advancing international relations. Presently, there are over 1,300 sister city relations, with originality and innovation each self-governing body are involved in all sorts of relations. Even Kagoshima prefecture has started relations with the State of Georgia. Within Kagoshima prefecture, seven cities and eight towns have overseas relations with self-governing or sister city organizations.

Ever since 1989, Kirishima has started international relations by building a post for Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) and Coordinator of International Relations (CIR) for guidance in foreign language. Soon it expanded to overseas home stays, international festivals, and various international relations networking (sister city relations, internet, etc.). These types of international relations have brought Japan and the United States closer through the exchange of politics, economics, culture, education, etc. Also with the sister city pact and the exchange of information in farming, commerce, tourist, artist culture, and education, between our town and the city of Sonora, have brought international ties to the local level.