DURHAM-TOYAMA, JAPAN ESTABLISHED JUNE 13 1989

Situated on a delta plain between the Sea of Japan and the towering
Southern Japanese Alps, Toyama was completely rebuilt following bombing
raids in World War II into a thriving modern metropolis.  A merger with
several neighboring towns in 2005 raised its population total to 420,000.

With an international port, this capital city of Toyama prefecture, is
called the City of Medicine.  Today, the industrial parks in Toyama feature
pharmaceutical companies, and its many hospitals are large and
well-equipped.  Like Durham, Toyama's industries are moving rapidly from
the processing of local raw materials to research and the manufacture of
high-tech products. Successful urban renewal projects have revitalized its
downtown area, with attention in recent years focused on the area near its
main train station.  The Sister City relationship with Durham, NC is
conducted mainly through its Office of Cultural and International Affairs
(a division of the City government) with strong support from the Toyama
Cosmopolitan Association, a citizens' group.

Here are some web links of interest:

City of Toyama

Toyama Cosmpolitan Association