Japan-Singapore Relations

1. “Regional political and security evolution amid global turmoil”
   Mr. AKITA Hiroyuki, a Commentator at the Nikkei, Dr. SATAKE Tomohiko, an Associate Professor at Aoyama Gakuin University, and Mr. Vikram Nair, Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency served as presenters for the first session. Discussions were held on how to achieve stability in the region while the international order grows more and more unstable.
2. “Enhancing mutual understanding and functional cooperation as the foundation of Japan-ASEAN relations”
   　Ms. Ng Hui Min, Foreign Editor at Lianhe Zaobao, and Dr. IIJIMA Yumi, a Research Fellow at JIIA, served as presenters for the second session. Discussions were held on how Japan and ASEAN can strengthen multi-faceted cooperation as key actors in maintaining regional order.
3. “Economic cooperation and supply chain resilience amid uncertainty”
   　Mr. OYA Shin, Chief Analyst of Sojitz Research Institute, and Prof. Heng Yee Kuang, Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo served as presenters for the third session. Discussions were held on how the principle of the free and open rule-based order should be integrated into economic cooperation and supply chain strategies as trade policies, economic security, and industrial policies are increasingly intricately intertwined.

Public sessions were held on September 18.

(1) At the outset, Ms. IKUINA Akiko, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore, and Member of the House of Representatives KONO Taro, Chairman of the Japan-Singapore Friendship Promotion Parliamentarians' League, each delivered a keynote address. They stated that, at this historical turning point in international relations, Japan and Singapore are important partners working together on regional and international issues. Noting that next year will mark 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, they expressed a vision of cooperation in many areas, including new fields such as digital and green, and the maintenance and development of a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

(2) Afterwards, discussions were held on the theme of “Japan-Singapore Cooperation in a World Remade”.
Amb. YAMADA Takio, JIIA Executive Fellow, Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, Prof. KIKUCHI Tomoo, Waseda University Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, and Mr. Adrian Ng, Director General for Asia, Middle East, and Africa at the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, discussed how Japan and Singapore, as countries sharing fundamental values, can support stability while the international order is increasingly destabilized and how the two countries can leverage their respective strengths to cooperate on cutting-edge challenges amid shifts in the existing economic order. This was followed by a lively question and answer session with the audience.

After two days of discussion, participants affirmed the strong relationship that the two countries have cultivated over nearly 60 years, and shared the view that it is necessary to advance bilateral cooperation across a wide range of fields and strengthen collaboration for regional peace and prosperity in an increasingly uncertain international community.