The 21st Singapore-Kagoshima Conference (SKC) was held on 22 November 2023 in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Former Minister of State (MOS) for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan led the Singapore delegation, while the Japanese delegation was led by Governor of Kagoshima Prefecture His Excellency Shiota Koichi.
During the Conference, both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and warm relations between Singapore and Kagoshima. Delegates also engaged in a fruitful discussion on further strengthening our economic linkages, boosting tourism flows, and deepening people-to-people exchanges.
Established in 1982, the SKC aims to promote exchanges in trade, tourism, arts and culture, and sports and youth between Singapore and Kagoshima Prefecture. For example, performing groups from Kagoshima have participated in Singapore’s Chingay Parade since 1993, while Singapore’s music students have participated in the annual Kirishima International Music Festival since 1998. The SKC is the longest-running forum of its kind that Singapore has with a Japanese prefecture. The SKC was last held in 2020 in Singapore.
Former MOS Tan is currently also Singapore’s Special Envoy for Arctic Affairs and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Canada.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
22 NOVEMBER 2023