Exchange of Congratulatory Letters to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Singapore and Japan

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26 April 2026

Exchange of Congratulatory Letters to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Singapore and Japan

Singapore and Japan established diplomatic relations on 26 April 1966. To commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae exchanged congratulatory letters to mark this significant milestone on 26 April 2026. The text of the message from Prime Minister Wong is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 APRIL 2026

Congratulatory Letter from Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae

26 April 2026

Her Excellency Takaichi Sanae

Prime Minister

Japan

Dear Prime Minister Takaichi,

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I convey my warmest congratulations to you and the Government of Japan as we celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Over the past six decades, our relationship has deepened into a strong and multifaceted partnership. It is anchored in close people-to-people ties, substantive cooperation, and a convergence of strategic interests. Our economic partnership has been a key pillar. Japanese investment and technology contributed significantly to Singapore's early development. Today, bolstered by the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2002, our countries are among each other's largest trading partners and investors.

The elevation of our ties to a Strategic Partnership during my visit to Japan last month marks an important milestone. It reflects the breadth and depth of our ties, and our shared ambition to do more together. This will provide a strong framework to guide future cooperation in areas like the green and digital economies, and supply chain and economic resilience.

We also work closely at the regional level. Japan has been a steadfast supporter of ASEAN Centrality and regional integration. As country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations, Singapore will continue strengthening the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially ahead of Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027. We should build on the synergies between the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific to advance practical cooperation that supports an open and inclusive regional architecture.

At the same time, we can continue to collaborate in plurilateral frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. These efforts will help to uphold a rules-based international order and foster regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

As we commemorate this milestone, I look forward to working closely with you and your government to take our partnership to even greater heights. I wish you good health and success, and the people of Japan continued peace and prosperity.

Yours sincerely,

Lawrence Wong