From left: Ms. Sakurai, President of Sakurai Printing Inc., Mr. Schwenke, Mayor of Offenbach and Kodama, MD of Manroland Japan

Japan – In a landmark visit to Japan, Mayor Felix Schwenke, together with a delegation from the city of Offenbach, visited Sakurai Printing Inc in Kawagoe, where they explored traditional Japanese bookbinding and the advanced capabilities of Manroland’s ROLAND 700 press.

This visit, aligned with Kawagoe City’s annual Kawagoe Festival, marks yet another milestone in the long-standing sister-city relationship between Offenbach and Kawagoe, established in 1983.

Offenbach, a historic hub for the leather and printing industries in Germany, is home to Manroland Sheetfed, a globally respected name in press manufacturing. Known for its contributions to the printing industry, Offenbach’s reputation is further strengthened by the technological achievements of companies like Manroland.

During the visit, Mayor Schwenke and approximately 20 members of the delegation had the rare opportunity to explore traditional Japanese craftsmanship at Sakurai Printing Inc., a company founded in 1924 and currently celebrating its 100th anniversary. They participated in “watoji,” a form of traditional Japanese bookbinding, selecting from exquisite Japanese washi paper and creating letterpress bookmarks—a hands-on cultural exchange that left a lasting impression on the delegation.

At Sakurai Printing, Mayor Schwenke also expressed keen interest in the ROLAND 700 sheetfed offset press, regarded as one of Japan’s most enduring presses. Under President Sakurai’s guidance, the company has combined Manroland’s innovative technology with Japanese traditional aesthetics, establishing a competitive edge that harmonises with Kawagoe’s cultural and environmental ethos.

Manroland Japan remains committed to fostering and supporting the partnership between Kawagoe and Offenbach, looking forward to furthering this meaningful cultural and technological exchange.