The Edmonds Sister City Commission was created by City ordinance in 1988 and reports to the Mayor of Edmonds. The Mayor recommends candidates to the City Council who then appoint the 12, non-paid Commissioners.
Commissioners serve a three-year term.
It is the mission of the Sister City Commission to promote international communication and understanding through exchanges of people, ideas and culture. To this end, the Commission conducts active student and adults exchanges with Hekinan, Japan. Since the relationship was initiated in 1988, over 550 people have visited their sister city. Annually, there are exchanges of people from the medical profession, between Stevens Hospital and Hekinan's Hospital. Each summer, there are approximately 15 students and two teachers from both cities spending two weeks in a homestay situation.