Visit to Singapore by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba Japan-Singapore Foreign Ministers’ Working Lunch (Overview)

On Wednesday, October 12, during his visit to Singapore, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba attended a working lunch with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law of Singapore, K. Shanmugam for approximately 90 minutes, beginning around 1:45 PM (local time). The following is an overview of the working lunch.

1. Bilateral relations
   
    (1) Both foreign ministers welcomed the favorable development of bilateral relations between Japan and Singapore, two countries that share basic interests and views, and agreed to actively cooperate not only on strengthening bilateral relations but also on working on regional and international issues.
   
    (2) Minister Gemba invited Minister Shanmugam to Japan through the scheme of a Working Visit upon Invitation by Minister for Foreign Affairs and strongly hoped that Minister Shanmugam would visit Japan in the near future. Minister Shanmugam responded that he would certainly like to visit Japan.
   
    (3) Minister Gemba expressed his appreciation for the kind support provided by Singapore following the Great East Japan Earthquake, and Minister Shanmugam responded that he firmly believed that Japan would recover. Minister Gemba stated that the area hit by the earthquake and the overall Japanese economy were making steady progress in reconstruction and that the business and tourism of Japan are on a steady path towards full recovery. He also expressed his hope that more tourists from Singapore would visit Japan.
   
    (4) Minister Gemba stated that he welcomed the ASEM seminar on nuclear safety that Singapore is expected to host next year and that Japan would cooperate as much as possible.
   
   
2. Regional and global issues
   
    (1) While discussing opinions on how economic partnerships in the Pacific-Asia region should be, Minister Gemba stated that Japan was having thorough discussion about joining negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and would like to make a decision at an early stage, and Minister Shanmugam responded that he hoped Japan would join the negotiations. Both foreign ministers confirmed that they would continue to exchange information in the future.
   
    (2) As for climate change, Minister Gemba stated that Japan wants to continue to cooperate with efforts to make COP17 a success; regarding cooperation within East Asia, he requested support for the concept of a partnership to build a low-carbon growth model in East Asia.
   
    (3) Both foreign ministers exchanged opinions regarding regional and international affairs such as reform of the United Nations Security Council, North Korea, and Myanmar. In particular, regarding Myanmar, Minister Gemba praised the pace of the Myanmar government’s efforts related to national reconciliation and dialogues with the international community. In response, Minister Shanmugam praised Japan’s policy on Myanmar, agreed with Minister Gemba’s opinion, and noted that it was important for the international community to gradually persuade and encourage Myanmar to become an open country.
   
    (4) As for the East Asia Summit (EAS), Minister Gemba explained his view on the importance of deepening discussions and promoting cooperation among Japan and other countries in the region, including ASEAN member countries, regarding the ocean as a public good. In regard to cooperation between Japan and ASEAN, he referred to Japan’s focus on enhancing connectivity.