PM Lawrence Wong's Nikkei Op-Ed for “Singapore and Japan at 60 – Kanreki”

Singapore and Japan mark 60 years of diplomatic relations this year. Tomorrow, I will embark on my first official visit to Japan as prime minister, to commemorate this milestone with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her government, and to usher in the next chapter of our bilateral relationship.

Six Decades of Partnership

The Singapore-Japan relationship has evolved significantly over the past six decades. It began with Singapore receiving assistance and investments from Japan, but soon grew into a multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership.

In the 1970s, major Japanese companies like Toshiba, Sumitomo and Mitsui set up operations in Singapore. They created jobs and established a manufacturing base in our fledging economy.

In the 1980s, Singapore benefited from Japan’s “Productivity Development Project” – the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s first-ever comprehensive technical cooperation package. Japanese investments into Singapore also grew during this period, bringing expertise and technology that were crucial for Singapore’s transition from labour-intensive production to capital-intensive industrialisation.

By the 1990s, Singapore and Japan had grown comfortable working with each other, and we were sharing our development experience with others. In 1994, we collaborated to launch Japan’s first initiative to provide technical assistance to third countries – a program that continues today as the Japan-Singapore Partnership for the 21^st Century.

Our relationship entered a major new phase in 2002, with the signing of the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement – Singapore’s first free trade agreement with a major economy, and Japan’s very first FTA with any country. This facilitated the expansion of Japanese enterprises into markets across ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific, with Singapore as their base. It also strengthened Singapore’s role as an international business hub, while deepening Japan’s economic ties with the region.

Soon after, our economic cooperation expanded further to include the region and beyond. We are both parties to the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) – key pillars of the international economic architecture. 

Now, we are jointly taking the lead to address critical issues of our time. Take the digitalisation of trade, which is a fact of everyday life. Singapore and Japan facilitated the conclusion of the e-commerce agreement (ECA) together with Australia, delivering the world’s first baseline rules on e-commerce with the support of 72 co-sponsors.

A New Chapter

Today, Singapore and Japan face a world marked by intense uncertainty, fragmentation, and disruption. But our six decades of partnership provide firm foundations for navigating this changed world. As like-minded countries with a shared commitment to free trade and rules-based multilateralism, there is much more that we can do together.

First, we can strengthen our already robust economic ties. We are among each other’s largest trading partners and investors. We also participate in many of the same regional, plurilateral, and international initiatives. We should build on these foundations to ensure economic resilience and shared prosperity.

Second, we can pursue new opportunities in the digital economy. Singapore and Japan are natural partners in this field, with advanced digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Together, we can shape international standards, including through the ECA, and promote trusted cross-border data flows that are essential for digital trade.

Third, we can collaborate more in frontier areas like artificial intelligence, quantum, and space. Japan brings advanced technological capabilities and industrial strengths. Singapore is a well-connected hub, with a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. By combining our complementary strengths, we can jointly harness the technologies of the future.

Fourth, we can work more closely with ASEAN. Singapore is the country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations and will assume the ASEAN chair in 2027. Japan has also strengthened its engagement of Southeast Asia. Together, we can leverage the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to advance regional priorities like the ASEAN Power Grid.

Fifth, we should deepen cooperation across the wider region, building on Japan’s existing initiatives in many areas, including security-related efforts such as counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Singapore has long taken the view that Japan can play a larger role in promoting peace and stability in the region. At the same time, we recognise that historical experiences continue to shape perspectives in some countries. We hope Japan will continue its efforts to build trust and confidence, so that together we can maintain a safe and stable regional environment.

In Japan, a 60^th birthday is celebrated as kanreki, symbolising rebirth and renewal. It marks the start of a new phase of life. Sixty carries a similar significance in Singapore. At 60, the Singapore-Japan partnership is already strong. That puts us in a good position to “Co-imagine, Co-create, and Co-evolve” an exciting new chapter of Singapore-Japan ties.