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The Prime Minister in Action
Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting and Other Events
September 28, 2016
Photograph of the leaders shaking hands
Photograph of the salute and the guard of honor
Photograph of the Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting
Photograph of the decoration presentation ceremony (1)
Photograph of the decoration presentation ceremony (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (1)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (2)
Photograph of the leaders attending the exchange of documents (3)
Photograph of the joint press announcement
Photograph of the banquet
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering an address at the banquet
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House.
First, the two leaders received a salute and attended a ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a summit meeting, followed by a decoration presentation ceremony, exchange of documents, and joint press announcement.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet and said the following in his address,
“I would like to offer my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife, and their associates upon their visit to Japan.
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. I would like to celebrate together with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife, and all of those in attendance, on this commemorative year.
During these fifty years, the ties of bilateral friendship and cooperation have steadily strengthened. This could not have happened without the contributions of former Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, and one of the eminent people produced by Asia.
On this occasion, I was honored earlier today to confer a decoration upon former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, which was accepted on his behalf by Prime Minister Lee, who is both the son of the former prime minister and my friend, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House, where his father stayed on his official visit to Japan in 1979. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him again.
Our bilateral relationship is now developing strongly in a wide range of fields, and pop culture is no exception. In May this year, a café featuring the popular Japanese character Hello Kitty opened in Changi Airport. The latest trend is that when you visit Singapore, before going to see the Merlion statue, first you meet Hello Kitty.
We have invited to today’s banquet many leaders from a variety of places and fields, including politics, the economy, and culture, who have all worked to support the invaluable friendship between our countries. It is thanks to all of your contributions that Japan and Singapore have such a wonderful friendship right now. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you all, and to say that I would be grateful for your continued support to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.
I would now like to raise a toast to the health and happiness of Prime Minister Lee, his wife, and everyone here, and for the further development of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Singapore. Thank you.”
