Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting

December 7, 2011

(Japanese)

(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, had a meeting with Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, on November 18 in Bali, the Republic of Indonesia, on the sidelines of ASEAN-related summit meetings. The following is a summary of the meeting.

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Lee stated that the relationship between the two countries was friendly and that he would like to develop it further in the future. In response, Prime Minister Noda expressed his gratitude for the assistance extended by Singapore in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. He noted that Japan and Singapore shared basic interests and views, expressing hope that Japan would like to make positive efforts for addressing regional and global issues through closer cooperation with Prime Minister Lee.
2. Referring to the East Asia Summit (EAS) to be held the following day, Prime Minister Noda stated that he would like to confirm the common ideas and basic rules in the region, and thus develop the EAS as a Leaders-led forum leading to concrete forms of cooperation. In reply, Prime Minister Lee spoke of the importance of the common ideas and basic rules in the region, adding that he would like to promote cooperation in the EAS.
3. Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, Prime Minister Noda explained that the Government of Japan had decided to enter into consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned. Prime Minister Lee welcomed Japan's decision.