Located on the southwestern tip of Japan’s southernmost main island, Kyushu, Kagoshima has a long history of close business ties with Hong Kong, a tradition that both sides actively work to enhance. The Hong Kong-Kagoshima Conference has been held biennially since 1980, alternating between the two regions.

This year’s conference, held in Hong Kong on 8 November, marked the first in-person gathering in six years due to the pandemic. High-ranking officials from both sides, including Kagoshima Governor Koichi Shiota, reaffirmed their mutual connections and discussed future cooperation.

Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung expressed optimism for the growth of Hong Kong-Kagoshima relations. In the first nine months of 2024, Hong Kong visitors were the fourth largest source of arrivals to Japan, totalling 1.97 million. By year-end, the previous record of 2.29 million Hong Kong visitors set in 2019 is expected to be surpassed.

With increasing tourism exchanges and Hong Kong being one of Japan’s largest export markets for agricultural products, Yeung emphasized the importance of boosting flights and establishing more supply chains. In 2023, Hong Kong imported approximately 237 billion yen worth of agricultural products from Japan, accounting for about a quarter of all such exports from Japan globally. He noted that Hong Kong could also play an essential role in helping Kagoshima firms expand into the Greater Bay Area and ASEAN countries.

With HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee unveiling plans in his Policy Address to position Hong Kong as a leading international gold trading hub, Yeung suggested that Kagoshima Prefecture, home to one of the largest gold mines in the world, could become a significant contributor to this new economic driver.

At a dinner reception following the roundtable discussion, Chamber Vice Chairman Douglas Woo expressed confidence that the productive discussions would promote future exchanges, strengthen connections, and pave the way for mutual growth. “Kagoshima Prefecture’s rich heritage, breathtaking World Heritage sites, vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty and exceptional produce offer endless opportunities for collaboration.”