[Provisional translation]

I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Singapore Founding Father as well as your own father, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.  On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, and on my behalf, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you and your own family and to the Government and people of the Republic of Singapore.

His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew is one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced.  With his incomparable leadership and unparalleled insights, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew played, for more than half a century and throughout his life, a key role not only in achieving Singapore’s remarkable economic growth and prosperity but also in securing peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region and the world.  He was highly revered all over the world. 

In the bilateral context, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, during and after his tenure as Prime Minister, frequently visited Japan including his State Visit to Japan in 1968 and made outstanding contributions in the advancement of the today’s good and close relations between Singapore and Japan.  I still vividly remember how much I was impressed by his profound wisdom, including when I met him in person in 2014.

The demise of such a great leader is indeed a great loss not only to your country but also to the entire international community.  At this time of bereavement, I hope that your people will overcome this grievous loss and, under your good leadership, your nation will build upon his legacy and achieve further success.

May his legacy live on, may his soul rest in eternal peace.