The "Friendship City" Relationship states that the program's intent is to:

Provide opportunities for city official and citizens to experience and explore other 
cultures through long-term community partnerships.

Create an atmosphere in which economic and community development 
can be implemented and strengthened.

Stimulate environments through which communities will creatively learn, work, and 
solve problems together through reciprocal cultural, educational, municipal, business, 
professional and technical exchanges and projects.

Since 2001, Maruko students have visited Broomfield in each odd numbered year, and Broomfield has sent ambassadors to Maruko in even numbered years. We planned for and expected the Japanese delegation in late summer, 2009. Concerns in Japan about H1N1 (the swine flu), however, caused officials there to delay the program for a year.