Lecce and Japan draw closer: talks on culture, tourism and potential

Lecce and Japan draw closer: talks on culture, tourism and potential twinning

On April 10, 2026, an institutional meeting took place at the Representative Halls of the Prefecture of Lecce between Prefect Natalino Manno and the Ambassador of Japan to Italy, Ono Hikariko. The discussion focused on strengthening economic and cultural ties and boosting international tourism promotion for the Salento area.

Attendees included officials from the Municipality and Province of Lecce, the University of Salento, the Chamber of Commerce, the Diocese, the “Tito Schipa” Conservatory and the Artwork Cooperative. The meeting highlighted the vitality of the local entrepreneurial fabric and the role of cultural exchanges in the region’s internationalisation.

• Key topics: economic cooperation, tourist flows, cultural projects and academic exchanges.
• Planned actions: masterclasses and mobility programs for students, joint initiatives between the Conservatory and Japanese institutions.
• Twinning proposal: evaluation launched for a possible twinning between Lecce and the city of Tagajyo.

Prefect Manno stressed that “our territory offers high-quality cultural and gastronomic assets,” expressing hope for collaborations that will open the way to new tourist flows and strategic commercial exchanges. Ambassador Ono expressed admiration for the area and interest in developing concrete projects, noting the presence of Japanese students at the “Tito Schipa” Conservatory.

The agreement in principle lays the groundwork for a renewed season of international promotion for Salento, with initiatives that could materialise in the coming months through agreements among local authorities, universities and cultural operators.