< The members of Usa Cultural Association and the municipal officers visit Gyeongju. > The members of Usa Cultural Association and the municipal officers of Usa City, Japan visited Gyeongju for 3 days from November 3 to 5 to participate in the ‘4th Korea-Japan International Art Exchange’. 

The Korea-Japan International Art Exchange was held in Fukuoka, Japan in 2009 and in Gyeongju in 2010 to celebrate the opening of Gyeongju Arts Center.  Since then it has settled as a biennial event of arts and culture held alternately between Usa City and Gyeongju City.

The 28 delegations led by Chairman Taira Takanori of Usa Cultural Association visited Gyeongju City Hall on November 4 to have a talk with Mayor Choi Yangsik of Gyeongju to discuss the art exchange and cultural development of Korea and Japan.  

At Gyeongju Arts Center, about 100 art association officials of both cities gathered to celebrate the opening of the ‘4th Korea-Japan International Art Exchange’ for the exchange between the members of Gyeongju Art Association and the members of Usa Cultural Association.

Usa City, located in Kyushu Prefecture, Japan, is known as a place that was extensively influenced by the culture of Ancient Silla, and it is historically convincing that Hachiman enshrined at Usa Shrine was originally from the Korean Peninsula.  There are many stone statues of Buddha similar to those on Mt. Namsan, Gyeongju and Dongtak (vessel with bell) same as the one excavated in Ipsil-ri, Gyeongju has been found.

Coming from this historical background, the cities have actively promoted exchanges in various fields, including exchange student programs, since they signed the friendship agreement on July 3, 1992.