OSAKA - Osaka's Midosuji boulevard and the Champs-Elysees in Paris have officially established a sister street partnership, marking a new step in cooperation between the two cities on urban development, streetscape improvements, and efforts to attract visitors.
Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama, who is visiting France, signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris in October, formally designating the two prominent thoroughfares as sister streets. The agreement will promote the exchange of information and expertise on urban planning, pedestrian-friendly environments, and initiatives to create more vibrant public spaces.
Midosuji, Osaka's main boulevard, will mark its 90th anniversary in 2027. The street has undergone a series of improvements in recent years, including the widening of sidewalks, as the city seeks to transform it into a more attractive pedestrian-oriented avenue inspired by the Champs-Elysees.
The partnership follows discussions initiated during the French National Day celebrations at the Osaka-Kansai Expo in 2025, when Yokoyama met with French representatives. That meeting helped pave the way for the formal agreement.
The Champs-Elysees, one of the world's most recognizable avenues, has long served as a model for Osaka's efforts to improve Midosuji's streetscape and enhance its appeal as a destination for residents and tourists.
Under the agreement, the two sides will strengthen communication and actively share information on urban development and initiatives designed to increase activity along their respective streets.
The partnership is expected to support Osaka's continuing transformation of Midosuji into a boulevard that combines commercial activity, pedestrian accessibility, and attractive public spaces, drawing on the experience of one of Paris' most celebrated streets.
Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
