Press Releases
Meeting between Foreign Minister Hayashi and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong of the Republic of Singapore
On May 26, commencing at 5:30 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of the Republic of Singapore, who is visiting Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview is as follows.
1. Opening Remarks
Minister Hayashi welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong’s visit to Japan, and stated that he hoped to further strengthen cooperation with Singapore towards realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific", in light of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation this year. In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong expressed his appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Government of Japan and touched upon the importance of the Japan-Singapore relations.
2. Bilateral Relations
Minister Hayashi stated that he would like to strengthen cooperation in such areas as digital, energy and climate change including the "Asian Zero Emission Community" concept, and security including defense equipment cooperation. In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong welcomed the progress of cooperation in each area and stated that he would like to further develop the amicable bilateral relations.
3. Cooperation in Tackling Regional and International Issues
- Minister Hayashi explained the outcomes of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and stated that Japan would take these outcomes to the discussion at the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in December. In response, while offering his congratulations on the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong stated that he would like to work with Japan to tackle the regional and international issues.
- While exchanging views on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the East and South China Seas, the response to North Korea on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and the maintaining of the high standards of the CPTPP, the two sides confirmed the importance of upholding and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.