PM Wong Calls for New Chapter in Singapore, Japan Ties

TOKYO, March 17 — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said Singapore and Japan are well placed to enter a new chapter of bilateral relations, as both nations mark 60 years of partnership. Writing in Nikkei ahead of his three-day official visit to Tokyo, PM Wong highlighted how ties evolved from Japan’s early investments in Singapore to a multifaceted partnership spanning trade, technology, and regional cooperation.

Singapore, Japan Ties

He noted milestones such as Japanese firms establishing operations in Singapore in the 1970s, knowledge transfer in the 1980s, and the landmark Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement in 2002. Today, both countries are key players in regional frameworks like RCEP and CPTPP.

PM Wong proposed deeper collaboration in five areas: strengthening economic resilience, advancing digital trade, exploring frontier technologies, enhancing ASEAN-Japan cooperation, and expanding regional security efforts. He will meet Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during his visit from March 17 to 19.

SG Business