Japan-Singapore Summit-Level Working Lunch (Summary)
On May 5, commencing at 11:00 a.m. local time (12:00 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 75 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Singapore, held a working lunch with H.E. Mr. LEE Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore at Singapore Changi Airport. The overview of the working lunch is as follows.
1. Introduction
Prime Minister Lee welcomed Prime Minister Kishida’s revisit to Singapore following his visit last year. In response, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Lee for stepping forward to the airport and hosting the working lunch. Prime Minister Kishida also stated that he hoped to hold a candid exchange of opinions with Prime Minister Lee ahead of the G7 Hiroshima Summit as the international community is at a historic turning point. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida referred to the fact that the new orchid (Dendrobium Kishida Fumio) which was presented by Prime Minister Lee during Prime Minister Kishida’s Singapore visit last year bloomed beautifully at the Hiroshima Botanical Garden. In response, Prime Minister Lee stated that he was glad to know this.
2. Response to regional and international issues
(1) Prime Minister Kishida explained the New Plan for a FOIP, and Prime Minister Lee stated that it is important to maintain a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
(2) The two leaders also exchanged views on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the East and South China Seas and other matters, and concurred to continue to work together to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
3. Bilateral relations
(1) The two leaders welcomed the holding of the Japan-Singapore Experts Level Meeting on Digital Economy Cooperation and concurred to continue to pursue further cooperation in the digital field. Moreover, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he hoped to advance cooperation in such areas as start-ups, strengthening supply chain resilience, and ways to promote an Asia Zero Emission Community（AZEC）concept.
(2) Prime Minister Kishida explained Japan’s security policy and Prime Minister Lee expressed his expectations regarding Japan’s role in the region. Also, Prime Minister Kishida touched upon significant progress on the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, and stated that he would like to enhance the security and defense cooperation.
(3) In response to them, Prime Minister Lee stated that he welcomed the progress on various fields regarding the bilateral relations, and that he hoped to continue to deepen cooperation with Japan.
(4) Furthermore, the two leaders confirmed to cooperate towards the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit Meeting to be held in Tokyo in December bearing in mind the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation this year.
