Senior Minister Lee hails economic, strategic, and cultural bonds at Expo 2025 Osaka
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong underscored the resilience and depth of Singapore-Japan relations, describing them as a partnership built on trust, economic collaboration, and shared strategic outlooks. Speaking at Singapore’s National Day celebrations at Expo 2025 Osaka on August 24, he reflected on the six-decade journey that has transformed both nations into close partners and friends.
Six Decades of Partnership
Mr Lee recalled that Japanese investments were pivotal in Singapore’s economic rise from the 1960s. Companies such as Sony, Panasonic, Shimano, and Sumitomo were among the earliest to establish a presence, creating jobs, transferring technology, and strengthening Singapore’s industrial base. These early contributions cemented Japan’s reputation as one of Singapore’s most trusted economic partners.
The milestone Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in 2002, further advanced ties. As Japan’s first bilateral economic pact and Singapore’s first Free Trade Agreement with a major partner, it set a “gold standard” that paved the way for broader regional trade agreements.
Expanding Economic and Strategic Cooperation
Today, Singapore and Japan rank among each other’s top 10 trading partners. In 2023, Singapore became Japan’s top foreign investor, reflecting the continued dynamism of their relationship. The partnership now spans advanced sectors such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and smart city development.
Strategically, both nations share a vision of free trade, resilient supply chains, and peace in the Asia-Pacific. As ASEAN’s country coordinator for Japan, Singapore is committed to strengthening the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, ensuring Japan’s deeper engagement in regional security and development.
Strong People-to-People Connections
Beyond trade and diplomacy, people-to-people ties form the foundation of bilateral trust. Nearly 700,000 Singapore residents visited Japan in 2024, while close to 600,000 Japanese tourists travelled to Singapore. More than 30,000 Japanese nationals currently live in Singapore, alongside about 3,000 Singaporeans residing in Japan.
Youth exchange programmes, research collaborations, and a growing interest in Japanese language and culture among Singaporeans continue to nurture the next generation of connections. These deep cultural and social bonds, Mr Lee noted, are critical in sustaining mutual understanding.
Celebrating Friendship at Expo 2025
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, Singapore’s pavilion, the 17-metre-tall “Dream Sphere,” has already welcomed over 1.5 million visitors, including members of Japan’s Imperial family. Mr Lee highlighted that Singapore’s 60th National Day celebrations abroad were not only a mark of nationhood but also a tribute to international friendship.
“This enduring friendship stands as a testament to what countries can achieve when they work together with mutual respect and shared purpose,” he said.
Singapore-Japan relations showcase how two nations with a complex past can build a future of cooperation rooted in trust, economic opportunity, and cultural exchange. For both Singaporeans and Indonesians, Japan’s sustained role in regional growth, technology transfer, and ASEAN collaboration highlights the wider benefits of such partnerships. As both nations look toward the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026, their shared journey offers a model of resilience and progress in Asia.
Sources: Mothership (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Japan Relations, ASEAN Japan Partnership, Economic Cooperation, Expo 2025 Osaka, Lee Hsien Loong Speech, People To People Ties
