Press Releases
Japan-Singapore Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
December 16, 2023
On December 16, commencing at 1:00 p.m. for approximately one hour, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a Japan-Singapore Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore, who is visiting Japan to attend related events of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. The overview is as follows.
- Introduction
Minister Kamikawa welcomed Minister Balakrishnan’s visit to Japan, and stated that as the international community faces a complex crisis, it is important to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law as well as to ensure a world where human dignity is protected. Minister Kamikawa also stated that Japan would like to deepen coordination with Singapore, which will serve as ASEAN's coordinating country for Japan for three years starting next summer. In response, Minister Balakrishnan appreciated that he was welcomed by the Japanese side on his visit, and stated that he would like to further develop Japan-Singapore relations in cooperation with Minister Kamikawa. - Bilateral Relations
Minister Kamikawa stated that she would like to further invigorate people-to-people exchange through various exchange programs such as "Next Generation Co-Creation Partnership - WA2.0 of Culture" and JENESYS, as well as to continue to contribute to human resource development of ASEAN countries including through “Japan-Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century (JSPP21).” In response, Minister Balakrishnan expressed his hope to promote cooperation in the areas of people-to-people exchange and human resource development. Minister Kamikawa also stated that taking the opportunity of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, she would like to strengthen cooperation towards energy transition and decarbonization. Minister Balakrishnan expressed his hope to further promote cooperation with Japan in a wide range of areas. - Addressing Regional and International Challenges The two Ministers also exchanged views on various regional and international issues and confirmed that they would continue to work together.