Prefecture flag

Main City: Kagoshima

Population: 1,649,000 people, ranking 24/47 prefectures (2015) [1]

Area: 9,132 km² [2]

Geographical / Landscape description

Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometres. The prefecture boasts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, including the Sakurajima, which towers out of the Kagoshima bay just in front of Kagoshima city which regularly sends clouds of ash toward the city. [2]

Climate

With an annual average temperature of 19°C the prefecture was ranked 2^nd in Japan in 2012. The southern area of the prefecture is the rainiest part of Japan (up to 9000mm) with annual rainfall concentrated in the May-July period. The prefecture is also regularly hit by typhoons from summer to autumn. [2]

Recent history, culture

Thanks to its location, the prefecture has been a doorway to foreign culture through which innovation entered Japan, such as the introduction of the first firearm which would drastically change the balance of power giving the local clan, the Satsuma, a significant advantage over other regions. With such interest for foreign cultures, it is natural that following the end of the Japanese isolation period during the second half of the 19^th century, many people of the prefecture went to European countries to learn about western culture and technology. [2][3]

More chapters:

• Economic overview
• Infrastructure
• Living environment
• Major types of economic activities
• Opportunities for EU Investors / Exporters / Importers
• Setting up a business in the prefecture
• Other contacts