Exchange of letters marks 50 years of ties between S’pore, Japan
PM Lee Hsien Loong. AP file photo
SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe reaffirmed strong ties between the two countries in an exchange of letters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan on Tuesday (April 26).
The letters were released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
In his letter, PM Lee said that over the last 50 years, bilateral relations have grown tremendously. “Today, Singapore and Japan enjoy excellent and multi-faceted ties, underpinned by shared strategic perspectives,” he wrote.
He noted that there was close cooperation in many areas and the economic relationship has been especially significant. The signing of the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in 2002 was a key milestone and officials were currently reviewing it to keep it up with the times.
Singapore and Japan are among each other’s top investment destinations and both are parties to the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Singapore has also funded recovery projects following the great east Japan earthquake of March 2011. “These projects symbolise the strong ties of friendship between our two countries and peoples,” wrote PM Lee.
He also noted that Japan plays a key role in the peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region and as an important partner in the US-Japan Security Alliance. “Singapore hopes that it will continue to play this role actively, to the benefit of itself and the region,” he wrote. He said he looked forward to visiting Japan in September.
Prime Minister Abe’s letter to PM Lee noted the contribution of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, whom he described as “one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced” and who had, over a long period of time, made “outstanding contributions to the advancement of the bilateral relations between Japan and Singapore”.
Mr Abe noted that after Singapore gained independence in 1965, Japan became the first country to invest in Singapore and described it as a ‘great honour’ that Japan has contributed to Singapore’s development.
He said both Japan and Singapore have much in common. “Both our countries have achieved miraculous economic growth in such a short period of time. In addition to our excellent human resources and high-quality infrastructure, we also share universal values such as the rule of law.
“Tapping more into these assets, I strongly believe that we can elevate our bilateral relations to a higher level.”
He also said he looked forward to celebrating the milestone year together with PM Lee in Japan later this year.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, is currently on an introductory visit to Japan from April 24 to 27, according to an earlier statement from MFA on Monday. Dr Balakrishnan called on Mr Abe on Monday morning and welcomed Japan’s “Proactive Contribution to Peace” policy and the related legislation that would enable Japan to play a greater strategic role in the region within the framework of the US-Japan Security Alliance.
Dr Balakrishnan also met the Minister of the Environment Tamayo Marukawa, the secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki, Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi, and members of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League including its chairman Kenji Kosaka and Minister in charge of Economic Revitalisation Nobuteru Ishihara.
Dr Balakrishnan will deliver a keynote address at the 11th Japan-Singapore Symposium’s Open Forum on Tuesday (April 26) morning.
