Photo Source: Cabinet Public Affairs Office
Visit highlights deepening ties ahead of the 60th anniversary of Singapore–Japan diplomatic relations in 2026.
Singapore, 27 August 2025 — Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong concluded a working visit to Japan from 21 to 27 August 2025, where he met Japanese leaders, engaged the business community, and connected with overseas Singaporeans in Tokyo and Osaka. The visit underscored the strength and breadth of Singapore’s relations with Japan, which will mark 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2026.
In Tokyo, Senior Minister Lee called on and was hosted to lunch by Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who also conferred on him the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Prime Minister’s Office. SM Lee also met former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Mrs Abe Akie, the spouse of the late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, as well as Japanese business leaders, members of the Japan–Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League, and young Japanese politicians. He also attended a National Day Reception with around 600 overseas Singaporeans in Tokyo.
At the conferment ceremony, SM Lee expressed his gratitude, saying he was “deeply humbled to receive this award” on behalf of generations of Singaporeans who had worked with Japanese counterparts to nurture bilateral ties. He emphasised that the Singapore–Japan partnership was “anchored by strong economic ties and people-to-people relations” and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen cooperation to foster “regional peace and prosperity and a rules-based multilateral order.”
In Osaka, Senior Minister Lee attended the Singapore National Day Celebrations at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, touring the Japan Pavilion, Pasona Natureverse Pavilion, and the Singapore Pavilion. He also joined a reception with Singaporeans at the Singapore Pavilion and held discussions with Japanese business leaders in Osaka and Kansai. In addition, SM Lee visited the Shimano Advanced Manufacturing Facility, underscoring the importance of innovation and industrial cooperation.
The visit reaffirmed Singapore’s enduring partnership with Japan across key areas, including the digital economy, green economy, defence technology, sustainability, and people-to-people exchanges, laying the foundation for deeper cooperation as both countries prepare to commemorate six decades of diplomatic ties next year.
Source: MFA
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