Japan-Singapore Relations

On September 28, Mrs Akie Abe, spouse of the Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with Mrs Lee Hsien Loong, spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, who was visiting Japan. The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere.

Mrs Abe welcomed the visit of Mrs Lee Hsien Loong to Japan. In response, Mrs Lee expressed appreciation for Mrs Abe's having paid her last respects to Singapore's former President S R Nathan on his demise, and said that she had been looking forward to the reunion as well.

Mrs Abe congratulated her on the presentation ceremony of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers conferred upon the late former Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew. In response, Mrs Lee commented that the award was a great honour to Singapore as a whole. Mrs Abe showed her respect for the outstanding contributions made by the late former Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew and Mr and Mrs Lee Hsien Loong in the advancement of the friendship between Japan and Singapore.

They also exchanged views on their common interests such as Japanese traditional craft, and efforts towards socially vulnerable people including people living with HIV/AIDS.