MFA Press Statement: 14th Singapore-Kagoshima Conference, 16 January 2008

The 14th Singapore-Kagoshima Conference will be held on 16 January 2008. Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed will lead the Singaporean delegation, while the Japanese delegation will be led by Kagoshima Prefecture Governor Yuichiro Ito. A biennial event, the Singapore-Kagoshima Conference aims to strengthen and deepen cooperation between Singapore and Kagoshima. The conference will cover a wide range of topics including trade, tourism, arts and culture, sports and youth.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 JANUARY 2008

About the Singapore-Kagoshima Conference

The Singapore-Kagoshima Conference was initiated by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and the late Singapore Ambassador to Japan Mr Wee Mon Cheng in 1982. The objective of the SKC is to foster closer relations between Singapore and Kagoshima in trade, tourism, arts and culture, sports and youth. This is a biennial event, hosted by Singapore and Kagoshima alternately. 13 Conferences have been held since 1984

2007 marked the 25th anniversary since the establishment of the Conference. The 14th Singapore-Kagoshima Conference will be held in Singapore on 16 January 2008 at the Meritus Mandarin. Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Zainul Abidin Rasheed will be leading the Singapore delegation for the 14th Singapore-Kagoshima Conference. The delegation includes International Enterprise Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board, People's Association, National Arts Council, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore Sports Council and Ministry of Education. Kagoshima Prefecture Governor Yuichiro Ito is leading the Japanese delegation. Key organisations in Kagoshima such as Kagoshima Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation will take part in the Conference.

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About the Kagoshima Prefecture

Located at the southern tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture has a population of about 1.8 million. It consists of 49 municipalities, 17 cities, 28 towns, and 4 villages. It has a total area of 9187 km2. Being far from the centre of Japan, Kagoshima has a unique dialect and manners, and is known as the brave country of "Satsuma-hayato".
(Satsuma is the old name of Kagoshima, while hayato means "agile men".)

Kagoshima has played a prominent role in the development of modern Japan. Under the old feudal system, it was ruled by Shimazu clan, which actively introduced Western technology and culture into Japan. Their efforts paved the way for the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Kagoshima was home to a number of leading figures in the Meiji Restoration such as Saigo Takamori who played a leading role in toppling the feudal Shogunate and setting Japan on the path to modernity. As the southern gateway to Japan, Kagoshima has close trade links with China, Korea and other neighbouring countries.

Kagoshima is largely agricultural prefecture with mountains comprising 70% of the terrain. Kagoshima is famous for sweet potatoes, pumpkins, black cattle, green peas, summer oranges and strawberries. Cultivation based on the mild and humid climate and the broad fields of volcanic ash is a characteristic of Kagoshima. Half of the land area in the prefecture is made up of wide plateaus of shirasu, a type of light-gray volcanic ash. Blessed with abundant natural scenery under the mild climate, Kagoshima boasts attractions such as Yakushima Island, which is registered as a World Heritage site and Mt. Sakurajima, an active volcano. Kagoshima is also famous for its 2,765 hot springs, which make up over 10% of Japan's hot springs. Its total GDP in FY2003 was 5.23 trillion yen (US$52.3 billion), about 1% of Japan's GDP. Kagoshima's GDP per capita is about 2.8 million yen (US$29,834). Real economic growth rate in FY2003 was 2.1%. The major industries in Kagoshima include food and beverage, electrical machinery and ceramic.

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