The black portion, which resembles an inverted horseshoe, represents the Satsuma and Ōsumi Peninsulas, with a small dent on the right corresponding to Shibushi Bay [ja].

Some locals have criticised the flag for not depicting Kagoshima Prefecture's islands to the west and southwest of Kyushu.

The flag's charge is the emblem of Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県章, Kagoshima-ken shō), which was adopted on 10 March 1967 following a public competition.

The omission has been criticized by some locals, including folklorist Toshimi Shimono [ja], who regarded it as an example of historical discrimination and neglect toward the islands.

[4] Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata carried a flag bearing the logo onto Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009.