MFA Press Statement: Exchange of congratulatory letters to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan

     Singapore and Japan established diplomatic relations on 26 April 1966.  To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe exchanged congratulatory letters to mark this significant milestone on 26 April 2016.  The text of the messages from the two Prime Ministers are attached below.   

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Congratulatory Letter from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

26 April 2016

Dear Prime Minister Abe,

     On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I convey my warmest congratulations to you and your Government as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan.

     Over these 50 years, our bilateral relations have grown enormously.  Today, Singapore and Japan enjoy excellent and multi-faceted ties, underpinned by shared strategic perspectives.  We cooperate closely in many areas – trade and investment, third-country training programmes, healthcare, cultural exchanges, among others.  Our economic relationship is particularly significant.  Japanese companies have been investing in Singapore since the 1960s and played a key role in Singapore’s development.   In 2002, the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) entered into force, marking a key milestone in our bilateral relations.  Our officials are currently reviewing the JSEPA to make sure it keeps up with the times.  Singapore and Japan now rank among each other’s top investment destinations.   We are also parties to the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, two agreements that will further liberalise Asia-Pacific trade and foster regional economic integration.   

     People-to-people ties between our two countries are also strengthening, with increased connectivity and more exchanges between our peoples. Last year Singapore welcomed 800,000 visitors from Japan, and more than 300,000 Singaporeans visited Japan. 

     2016 also marks the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2016.  Through funding several local recovery projects like the Rikuzentakata City Multipurpose Hall, Singapore has contributed in a modest way to the rejuvenation of the Tohoku region.  These projects symbolise the strong ties of friendship between our two countries and peoples.

     We also work closely with Japan to advance common interests in various global and regional fora, including ASEAN, the East Asia Summit and APEC.  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, and Singapore hopes that it will continue to play this role actively, to the benefit of itself and the region.   

     I look forward to working closely with you and your Government as we embark on the next 50 years of close friendship between Singapore and Japan.  I wish you good health and success, and I look forward to visiting Japan this September to commemorate this important milestone year. 

Yours sincerely,

LEE HSIEN LOONG

His Excellency Shinzo Abe
Prime Minister
Japan

Congratulatory Letter from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

26 April 2016

Dear Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the people of the Republic of Singapore,

     On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to share our wholehearted pleasure with Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of Singapore on this occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore.

     Exactly 50 years ago today, on 26 April 1966, Japan and Singapore established diplomatic relations. I am very pleased that, since then, for half a century, friendly and cooperative ties between our two nations have flourished and matured from strength to strength. When we talk about today’s good and close relationship between Japan and Singapore as well as Asia’s development, we should not forget about the contributions of former Prime Minister of Singapore, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who is the Founding Father of Singapore and one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced. Over a long period of time, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away in March last year, made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the bilateral relations between Japan and Singapore. Hence, I am very pleased that the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers is bestowed upon him in recognition of this contribution.

     After Singapore gained independence in 1965, Japan became the first country to invest in Singapore. In that sense, it is a great honour that Japan has contributed to Singapore’s development, including through trade and investments, as well as Official Development Assistance (ODA). The deepening of economic relationship between the two nations marked a milestone with the establishment of the “Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Singapore for a New-Age Economic Partnership” in 2002, leading up to today’s close relationship between our two nations. On the TPP agreements, as trade-oriented nations, we hope to take the lead in discussions so as to bring about its early entry into force. Our political and security cooperation and cultural and intellectual exchanges have also been steadily advanced. As important partners sharing fundamental values, Japan and Singapore have been working closely together not only on bilateral issues, but also on addressing regional and global challenges.

     Yet, we should not stop at these achievements. 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.

     In this regard, I am confident that, to mark this commemorative day, the ongoing first visit of His Excellency Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore to Japan will be a good start for our bilateral relations in the next half-century. As I have been in close communication with Your Excellency, including through the past five Summit Meetings, I look forward to celebrating this milestone year together with you in Japan this September.

     Lastly, I sincerely hope that this commemorative year will bring about even greater advancements in our bilateral relations and further consolidate our friendship.

Yours sincerely,

Shinzo Abe

Prime Minister of Japan