Municipalities of Kagoshima (Japan)

Nishinoomote is the main town of Tanegashima island, south of Kyushu. In 1543 the Portuguese Fernao Mendes Pinto landed on that island and was the first European to set foot on the soil of Japan. The island where firearms were first introduced to Japan is now the center of Japanese space development.
Jarig Bakker, 6 February 2002

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The flag was adopted in November 1958 when Nishinoomote was elevated to the status of a city from a town. The flag has the city emblem in black centered on a white field. The emblem is the stylized Chinese character of Nishi 西 (west) of Nishinoomote. The outer circle symbolizes coastline of Tanegashima Island and a triangle for progress and development of the city. The information was received from the city government.
Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 February 2002
with transliteration by Jonathan Dixon, 10 January 2006

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The "sister city is the town of Vila do Bispo, Portugal
Jorge Candeias, 6 February 2002