Japan-Singapore Relations
Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Kishida by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong of the Republic of Singapore
May 26, 2023
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On May 26, commencing at 6:50 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, received a courtesy call from 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.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he is delighted to welcome Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong in this year marking the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that he hoped to deepen bilateral cooperation in such areas as digital, energy and climate change, and security including defense equipment cooperation, and to further strengthen cooperation towards realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific." In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong expressed his appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Government of Japan, and offered his congratulations on the success of Japan’s leadership of the G7 Hiroshima Summit as the chair. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Wong also stated that he would like to strengthen the amicable relations between Japan and Singapore.
- The two sides affirmed the importance of upholding and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, bearing also in mind the discussions at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and confirmed collaboration in tackling regional and international challenges.
- Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he would like to set out a new vision for ASEAN-Japan cooperation and a wide range of concrete cooperation through holding an ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in December. In response, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Wong stated that he would like to work with Japan in a firm manner.