The 21st Singapore-Kagoshima Conference, reaffirmed the enduring relations between the two nations, focusing on economic collaboration, tourism enhancement, and cultural exchanges.
On 22 November 2023, the 21st Singapore-Kagoshima Conference (SKC) took place in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The Singaporean delegation, led by Former Minister of State (MOS) for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan, joined their Japanese counterparts, headed by Kagoshima Prefecture Governor His Excellency Shiota Koichi.
The conference served as a platform to reaffirm the robust and warm relations between Singapore and Kagoshima. Discussions were centered on bolstering economic ties, increasing tourism flows, and fostering deeper people-to-people exchanges. Both sides expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors.
Established in 1982, the SKC has been instrumental in promoting exchanges in trade, tourism, arts and culture, and sports and youth between Singapore and Kagoshima Prefecture. Notable examples include Kagoshima performing groups participating in Singapore’s Chingay Parade since 1993 and Singaporean music students engaging in the annual Kirishima International Music Festival since 1998. This longstanding conference represents the oldest and most enduring forum of its kind between Singapore and a Japanese prefecture. The previous SKC was hosted in Singapore in 2020.
Former MOS Sam Tan, who currently serves as Singapore’s Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Canada, played a pivotal role in leading the Singaporean delegation during the conference.
Source – MFA
