Visit of President Halimah Yacob to Tokyo, Japan, 23 October 2019

President Halimah Yacob, who is in Japan to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan, met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at the Akasaka State Guest House. President Halimah conveyed her congratulations to Japan for the new Reiwa era. President Halimah and Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and Japan, and discussed areas for future cooperation, including smart cities, and infrastructure development in third countries. The leaders agreed on the importance of reinforcing the rules-based multilateral trading system, and that the two countries should continue working closely together for the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). President Halimah also conveyed her condolences for the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by Typhoon Hagibis. In the evening, President Halimah and Mr Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee attended the banquet hosted by Prime Minister Abe and Mrs Akie Abe at Hotel New Otani Tokyo.

President Halimah also met members of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League, including its Chairman Yasuhisa Shiozaki, over tea. President Halimah expressed appreciation for the members’ efforts in promoting inter-parliamentary exchanges that contributed to the strong Singapore-Japan relationship. They exchanged views on the common challenges facing Singapore and Japan, and the need for both countries to work together to support free trade and to tackle aging population, technological disruption, and climate change.

In the afternoon, President Halimah visited NEC’s Future Creation Hub, which showcases NEC's advanced information and communications technologies, including AI and biometric identification solutions. President Halimah viewed exhibits that included a demonstration of biometric data-based identification for smooth and fast travel, safe and secure data exchange that protects the privacy of consumers, and a future shopping and distribution experience.

President Halimah returns to Singapore tomorrow.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

23 OCTOBER 2019