This year marks the 10th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Kochi Prefecture and the Gwangju-South Jeolla integrated special city.
A delegation from Kochi Prefecture — located in the southern part of Shikoku, one of Japan's four main islands — visited the Yeosu World Island Expo as the event nears its closing date.
According to the Yeosu World Island Expo organizing committee, Kochi Prefecture Governor Hamada Seiji led a delegation of about 30 people, including the speaker and lawmakers of the Kochi prefectural assembly and a Yosakoi performance troupe, on a tour of the expo grounds on Wednesday.
Kochi Prefecture, situated in the southern part of Shikoku, marks its 10th anniversary of a sister-city relationship with the Gwangju-South Jeolla integrated special city this year.
The delegation toured the Theme Island, Culture Island and Future Island before visiting the Kochi promotional pavilion at the International Exchange Island, where they took part in a tasting of Kochi's traditional liquor.
The group then took the stage at a special performance venue to present Yosakoi — a traditional festival dance representative of Kochi — delighting visitors at the expo grounds.
"I hope this expo, marking the 10th anniversary of our sister-city relationship, will deepen the friendship and cooperation between our two regions, and that the bond forged across the sea will lead to a sustainable future," Governor Hamada said.
The 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo concludes its two-month run on Nov. 4. As of Wednesday, the event had drawn about 1.9 million visitors.
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