In January 2015, the City Council approved and authorized the Mayor Carlton to execute cultural exchange agreements with Xinbei, China, Kochi, India and Bizen, Japan. Representatives from Bizen, Japan, which included their mayor, eight children and five adults traveled to Menlo Park this week to visit and tour City Hall. The goal of this visit was to continue to promote civic exchange of topics that have mutual interest to both cities. This experience was an opportunity for us to share and initiate exchanges of information in regards to education, culture, and the economy in order to promote common prosperity and quality of life. The group was very fascinated with the police patrol cars and taking photos on the traffic motorcycle.