Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting
On May 26, commencing at 8:20 p.m. for 45 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, which was followed by a ceremony for the exchange of notes signed between the two countries from 9:10 p.m. The overview of the meeting and ceremony is as follows. The meeting and ceremony were also attended by officials including Minister for Digital MAKISHIMA Karen and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary ISOZAKI Yoshihiko.
1. Summit meeting
(1)Introduction
Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the recent signing of Memoranda of Cooperation in the areas of digital sector and start-ups, as well as the launch of the Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed his intention to enhance cooperation toward realizing of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" while pointing out the importance of maintaining and strengthening of the free and open international order based on the rule of law as the international community is facing many challenges. In response, Prime Minister Lee expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Kishida's hospitality and his desire to further strengthen coordination in dealing with regional and international situations including the one in Ukraine, as well as cooperation in areas such as digital.
(a) The two leaders concurred to further reinforce cooperation in areas such as digital, smart cities and support for start-ups.
(b) The two leaders concurred to promote cooperation in the digital field, in view of coordination between Japan’s Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation Realization and Singapore’s Smart Nation Initiative.
(c) While touching upon an "Asia Zero Emissions Community" vision, Prime Minister Kishida, expressed his intention to cooperate in financing and other areas to support realistic energy transitions in each country, and Prime Minister Lee explained initiatives taken so far in the area of climate change and expressed his intention to enhance collaboration with Japan.
(d) Prime Minister Kishida explained Japan's policy for further easing border measures, and Prime Minister Lee stated that he hoped to promote cross-border travel with Japan.
(e) Prime Minister Lee also announced Singapore’s participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
(3) Regional affairs and cooperation in the international arena
(a) The two leaders, while condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, concurred to work together in dealing with the situation.
(b) Prime Minister Kishida expressed strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, and the two leaders confirmed the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
(c) The two leaders confirmed that they would continue to collaborate in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities including the ballistic missile launches on May 25th as well as the abductions issue.
(d) The two leaders welcomed the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) by the United States, and confirmed the importance of maintaining the high standard of the TPP, taking into account that Singapore serves as Chair of the TPP Commission for this year.
(e) The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues including the situation in Myanmar.
2. Exchange of Notes Ceremony
An Exchange of Notes Ceremony was held for the Memorandum of Cooperation in the digital sector between Dr. MAKISHIMA Karen, Minister for Digital, and Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Health, as well as the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Enterprise Singapore on the support for start-ups.