TOKYO<\/span> \u2013 Singapore and Japan\u2019s relationship has evolved significantly over 60 years, with both countries now in a good position to enter a new chapter of bilateral ties, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 17. <\/p>\n The two countries\u2019 decades of partnership also provide a firm foundation to navigate a world marked by intense uncertainty, fragmentation and disruption, PM Wong said ahead of his three-day official visit to Tokyo<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n In an op-ed for Japanese publication Nikkei, he noted that the bilateral relationship began with Singapore receiving assistance and investments from Japan, but soon grew into a multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership.<\/p>\n He is making an official visit to Japan from March 17 to 19, part of a string of introductory visits to key partner countries in the region since he took over as head of government in May 2024. He is scheduled to meet his counterpart Sanae Takaichi.<\/p>\n In the 1970s, major Japanese companies like Toshiba, Sumitomo and Mitsui set up operations in Singapore, which created jobs and established a manufacturing base in the Republic\u2019s then fledging economy, PM Wong noted.<\/p>\n In the 1980s, Singapore benefited from Japanese efforts to transfer knowledge in quality and productivity improvements.<\/p>\n Japanese investments into Singapore also grew in this period, bringing expertise and technology that were crucial for Singapore\u2019s transition from labour-intensive production to capital-intensive industrialisation, said PM Wong.<\/p>\n Singapore and Japan grew comfortable working with each other by the 1990s, he added. In 1994, they collaborated to launch Japan\u2019s first initiative to provide technical assistance to third countries \u2013 a programme that continues today.<\/p>\n In 2002, the relationship between the two countries entered a major new phase with the signing of the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement. This was Singapore\u2019s first free trade agreement with a major economy, and Japan\u2019s first with any country, PM Wong noted.<\/p>\n This facilitated the expansion of Japanese enterprises into markets across ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific, with Singapore as their base. It also strengthened Singapore\u2019s role as an international business hub while deepening Japan\u2019s economic ties with the region.<\/p>\n Economic cooperation between the two sides has since expanded further to include the region and beyond.<\/p>\n Both countries are parties to the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership \u2013 key pillars of the international economic architecture, said PM Wong.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, we are jointly taking the lead to address critical issues of our time,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n For example, Singapore and Japan are working together on the digitalisation of trade<\/span><\/a>. The two countries facilitated the conclusion of an e-commerce agreement with Australia, which set out the world\u2019s first baseline rules on e-commerce supported by 72 co-sponsor members of the World Trade Organization.<\/p>\n Going forward, PM Wong proposed five areas where Singapore and Japan could do more together as like-minded countries with a shared commitment to free trade and rules-based multilateralism. <\/p>\n First, the two countries, which are among each other\u2019s largest trading partners and investors, can strengthen their already robust economic ties, he said.<\/p>\n Both participate in many of the same regional, plurilateral and international initiatives. \u201cWe should build on these foundations to ensure economic resilience and shared prosperity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Second, the countries can pursue new opportunities in the digital economy as natural partners in the field who have advanced digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. Together, they can shape international standards and promote trusted cross-border data flows that are essential for digital trade, said PM Wong.<\/p>\n Third, both sides can collaborate more in frontier areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology and space technology.<\/p>\n Japan brings advanced technological capabilities and industrial strengths, while Singapore is a well-connected hub with a thriving research and innovation ecosystem. \u201cBy combining our complementary strengths, we can jointly harness the technologies of the future,\u201d PM Wong said.<\/p>\n Fourth, the two nations can work more closely with ASEAN. He noted that Singapore is the country coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations and will be ASEAN chair in 2027, while Japan has also strengthened its engagement with South-east Asia.<\/p>\n