SINGAPORE – Prime Ministers Lawrence Wong of Singapore and Sanae Takaichi of Japan swapped congratulatory letters on April 26, celebrating six decades of diplomatic relations forged in 1966 and elevating their bond to a strategic partnership.
In his message, Wong hailed the “strong and multifaceted” ties, spotlighting Japan’s pivotal role in Singapore’s early growth through investments and technology. Today, they rank as top trading partners and investors, boosted by their 2002 Economic Partnership Agreement. Wong recalled his March visit to Japan as a milestone, praised Tokyo’s backing of ASEAN centrality, and pledged to advance the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as Singapore gears up for its 2027 ASEAN chairmanship.
He urged synergy between ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook and Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision to champion an inclusive regional order. Wong highlighted joint efforts in pacts like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to safeguard rules-based trade, peace, and prosperity. “I look forward to working closely with you to take our partnership to greater heights,” he concluded, wishing Takaichi health and Japan prosperity.
Takaichi echoed the sentiment, noting Singapore as Japan’s first economic partnership partner and their shared push for free trade via CPTPP. Referencing Wong’s March trip, where they outlined five priority cooperation areas for ties through 2036, she expressed Japan’s gratitude for Singapore’s role in building robust relations. “I pray for the continued prosperity and good health of Your Excellency and the people of Singapore,” she wrote.
The leaders formalized the strategic partnership on March 18 in Tokyo, aiming to deepen multifaceted cooperation across forward-looking domains.