Japan’s Foreign Minister Kishida calls on PM Lee

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Japan have reaffirmed the excellent bilateral ties and close cooperation, which are underpinned by longstanding and deep economic and business links.

This comes as visiting Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on Friday.

Mr Kishida also met Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who hosted him to lunch.

Mr Kishida’s visit to Singapore is the second stop of his first overseas visit since his appointment as foreign minister.

Since the conclusion of the Japan—Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) in 2002, bilateral trade and investment has expanded steadily and brought significant benefits to the two countries.

Under the Japan—Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century (JSPP21), both countries have also worked closely to extend joint technical assistance to other countries in the region.

The leaders discussed how both countries could further strengthen cooperation in the bilateral and regional context through the JSEPA, JSPP21 and other mechanisms.

Both sides also engaged in an exchange of views on regional political and security developments.

Singapore leaders expressed appreciation for Japan’s crucial contributions to the economic development of all ASEAN member states as well as to ASEAN as an organisation over the last 40 years.

A spokesman from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs says economic growth and development has formed the foundation for peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

Mr Kishida’s early visit to the region reflects the importance that Japan attaches to its relations with ASEAN.

And Singapore leaders expressed Singapore’s strong support for the deepening of Japan’s engagement of ASEAN.

— CNA/de