Japan-Singapore Relations
Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting
Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting（Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office）
Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting（Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office）
On November 4, commencing at 12:10 p.m. (local time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, on his visit to the Kingdom of Thailand to attend ASEAN-related summit meetings. The overview of the meeting is as follows. The meeting was also attended by Mr. IZUMI Hiroto, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. HASEGAWA Eiichi, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, and others from the Japanese side and by H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry, and others from the Singaporean side.
1. Opening remarks
Prime Minister Abe expressed gratitude for President Halimah Yacob’s attendance from Singapore at the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, and stated, “I am happy to see you again since the G20 Summit in Osaka.” In response, Prime Minister Lee expressed his respect for the successful holding of the G20 Summit in Osaka and expressed appreciation for President Halimah Yacob’s attendance at the Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor.
2. Import restrictions on Japanese food products following the Great East Japan Earthquake
Prime Minister Lee stated, “Singapore will lift the outstanding import restrictions on food from Fukushima, taking into account the safeguards that Japan has implemented and subject to pre-export testing of the food.” In response, Prime Minister Abe stated, “I welcome and appreciate Singapore’s lifting of its import suspension measures.” The two leaders agreed that the details will be discussed among working-level officials.
3. Regional affairs
The two leaders shared the view that they will cooperate toward the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). In addition, the two leaders exchanged views regarding regional affairs, such as North Korean affairs including recent ballistic missile launches, and the South China Sea issue. Prime Minister Abe stated that the “The Abe Cabinet has positioned the resolution of the abductions issue as the most important issue,” and asked for Prime Minister Lee’s understanding and cooperation towards the early resolution of the abductions issue.
4. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe stated, “Japan and Singapore share much in common in terms of challenges and policies, including measures aimed at the creation of Smart Cities and initiatives to respond to declining birthrates and the aging population. I hope that we can advance cooperation, including infrastructure cooperation in third countries.”