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The Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting
(Summary)

March 20, 2007

Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore, held a meeting on the afternoon of March 19, 2007. A summary of their summit meeting is as follows. After the summit meeting, Prime Ministers Abe and Lee signed the Protocol Amending the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Singapore for a New-Age Economic Partnership.

1. Bilateral Relations

(1) General

Prime Minister Abe noted that Japan and the Republic of Singapore shared the fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and stated that Japan wished to continue to cooperate with the Republic of Singapore, a "reliable partner," on a variety of regional and global issues. He also said that he was very pleased with the latest signing of the Protocol Amending the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Singapore for a New-Age Economic Partnership and expressed hope that it would help to further develop economic relations between the two countries. Prime Minister Lee on his part noted that Japan and Singapore last year celebrated their 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and that the official visit to Singapore by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress had been a major success. He also said that Singapore wished to cooperate in and was prepared to contribute to strengthening relations between Japan and ASEAN not only in the economic field but also in the soft-power field of culture.

(2) Cooperation in the transmission of information about Japan

Prime Minister Abe stated that the establishment of the "Japan Center" (note: a proposal by Singapore to establish a base in Singapore to disseminate information about Japan, especially on cultural information) was of significance in materializing the Asian Gateway initiative and Japan would proceed with the necessary consideration in full consultation with Singapore toward the realization of the proposal. Prime Minister Lee on his part stated that the "Japan Center" could serve as the foundation for Japan to exert its soft power in Southeast Asia, and proposed that the two countries jointly produce television programs that showcased information on Japanese culture and lifestyles for broadcasting throughout Southeast Asia and that the two countries collaborate in Interactive Digital Media Industry. (Prime Minister Abe replied he will have relevant authorities consider the proposals.)

2. Negotiations on the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement

Prime Minister Lee stated that he hoped AJCEP would be concluded successfully in order to advance the strategic partnership between Southeast Asia and Japan. In reply, Prime Minister Abe stated that a realistic approach taking into account sensitivities of both sides was essential for an agreement on AJCEP and that it was necessary for both Japan and ASEAN to make further efforts toward the deadline of the negotiations, set for April 2007.

3. Regional Cooperation in East Asia

Prime Minister Lee noted that there were various frameworks for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region including ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS) and APEC and stated that Singapore wished to further cooperate with Japan regarding these frameworks. He also noted that Japan had proposed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) and stated that it was a very good proposal and worthy of serious consideration. In reply, Prime Minister Abe noted the remarkable rises of China and India in the Asia-Pacific region and stated that the major challenge for the region was how best to canalize the massive energies of these two countries for development. He also stated that the political, economic, and military presence of the United States was important for the stability and prosperity of the region. Prime Minister Abe further noted the great importance of the EAS, which could capitalize on ASEAN's central role as well as its extensive membership including India and Australia, and expressed his high expectation of Singapore, the incoming ASEAN Chair, in taking strong leadership in working to produce tangible benefits for the region.

4. International Situation

(1) China

Prime Minister Abe explained that on the occasion of his visit to China last year, Japan had agreed with China to develop the "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests." He also stated that it was necessary to ensure that China would play responsible roles in the region as well as in the world going forward while enhancing its transparency. In reply, Prime Minister Lee stated that while China's present leadership was well aware that peace as needed for China's development, it was necessary to ensure that this notion will be inherited by the next generation of leaders in China. He also stated that it was important to consider what incentives should be provided to China to ensure China's peaceful development.

(2) North Korea

Prime Minister Abe stated that while the recent Six-Party Talks had reached an agreement on the first step toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, it was important to move ahead with concrete implementation of the 13 February 2007 agreement, and that Japan was placing high hopes on approaches to North Korea by the international community, including Singapore. He also stated that while the abduction issue was being addressed at the Japan-North Korea Working Group, it was unfortunate that no progress has been achieved so far. Prime Minister Abe said that Japan needed to have the cooperation of international society on this issue as well, and that Japan wished to obtain the understanding and support of Singapore.

(3) India

Prime Minister Abe noted that the presence and importance of India in the international community were increasing. He stated that in December 2006, Japan and India agreed to promote cooperation in political and economic fields and cultural exchanges and that it would be necessary to substantially enhance the level of bilateral cooperation. In reply, Prime Minister Lee stated that the development of India was also important for the development of Singapore and Southeast Asia as a whole. He also stated that Singapore hoped that Japanese companies would support the progressive development of India.

5. The United Nations

Prime Minister Abe thanked Singapore for its continued support for Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. He stated that Japan would continue to seek the realization of UN reform and Japan's permanent membership in the Security Council and asked for Singapore's continued close cooperation. Prime Minister Abe also requested Singapore's support for Japan's candidature for non-permanent membership in the Security Council in 2008. In reply, Prime Minister Lee stated that Singapore supported Japan in the election of non-permanent members of the Security Council in 2008. He also stated that Singapore publicly expressed its support for Japan's candidacy for its permanent membership of the Security Council in 2005, and as a logical consequence of that support, Singapore would like to publicly express its support for Japan's candidacy in the election of non-permanent members of the Security Council as well.