The Kumamoto-Montana sister state relationship, which started in1982, is still strong.

“We can be inspired in our efforts by what we’ve seen in the past two decades. In 2000, with wildfires raging across much of Montana, Kumamoto’s citizen “Montana Club” raised almost $16,000 to help Montanans affected by the fires.”

http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/kumamoto-after-the-earthquakes-time-to-help-montana-s-sister/article_4febf379-5a13-551f-baf9-6c4415ce30d9.html