MFA Press Release: Transcript of Keynote Address by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman at the 12th Japan-Singapore Symposium, 24 October 2017

Your Excellency Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Iwao Horii

Co-chairmen Ambassador Yoshiji Nogami and Ambassador Tommy Koh

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1          Mina san, ohayo gozaimasu.  (Good morning, everyone.)

2          Good morning and thank you for inviting me to the 12^th Japan-Singapore Symposium (JSS).  It is a privilege to address this distinguished gathering today.  I would especially like to extend a very warm welcome to our guests from Japan.   

Background of JSS

3          The JSS is a major event in our bilateral relationship with Japan.  Since its inception in 1995, leading figures and opinion-shapers from both countries have come together regularly, to exchange views on regional and global issues of the day.  You can have frank conversations here that are sometimes more difficult among people in political office.  This is what makes the JSS special, and a useful platform to debate and explore new ideas for strengthening our bilateral and regional cooperation. 

4          The JSS was upgraded to an annual event last year, in conjunction with the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between our countries, or SJ50.  This bears testament to how our ties continue to evolve and deepen.  SJ50 was a significant milestone for both countries.  At last year’s JSS, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan reminded us how far our relationship has come, from Japan’s investment in Singapore’s early economic development, to the mature and mutually beneficial relationship we have today.   

Singapore-Japan Bilateral Relations

5          Singapore and Japan enjoy close political and economic relations underpinned by common interests in many areas.  The highlight of our SJ50 celebrations was then-President Tony Tan’s State Visit to Japan at the end of last year.  His visit capped off a series of high-level exchanges throughout the year, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Official Visit in September, during which he received the posthumous award of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers on behalf of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.  We are grateful to the Japanese government for their hospitality and for conferring this award, just as we deeply appreciate Prime Minister Shinzo Abe taking time off his busy schedule to attend the Lying-in-State of former President S R Nathan in August last year, and Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral in 2015.

6          Singapore and Japan enjoy robust economic links with significant investments and strong trade flows.  Total bilateral trade between our countries reached S$49.5 billion in 2016.  There are more than 4,800 Japanese companies registered in Singapore.  Singapore companies are also investing in Japan, including brand names like The Ascott Limited, Bee Cheng Hiang and Honestbee. Our economic ties are anchored by the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement, or JSEPA in short.  In force since 2002, the JSEPA was Japan’s first bilateral free trade agreement, and Singapore’s first with a major trading partner.  Japan is now Singapore’s eighth-largest trading partner and second-largest foreign investor, and Singapore is Japan’s top Asian and fifth-largest investor – impressive considering Singapore’s small size. 

7          In terms of people-to-people links, close to 800,000 visitors from Japan came to Singapore last year, while about 360,000 Singaporeans visited Japan over the same period.  In other words, about one in 10 Singaporeans visited Japan last year alone.  My family and I contributed to these numbers, having visited Japan a couple of times; and like many Singaporeans who visited Japan, we enjoyed the scenery, weather, food and culture immensely.  More than 37,000 Japanese now call Singapore home, up from about 8,000 just some forty years ago, with more than 2,000 students enrolled across the three campuses of the Japanese School here.  I was privileged to be invited to the Natsu Matsuri (Summer Festival) at the Changi Campus of the Japanese School earlier this year, and was amazed at the number of Singaporeans and Japanese present to celebrate the festivities together. 

8          The goodwill and friendship between our peoples was most evident in the outpouring of support following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011.  The funds raised by the Singapore Red Cross was one of Singapore’s largest-ever disaster relief contributions to a single country, and went towards several reconstruction and rehabilitation projects across the Tohoku region.  I hope that these projects will support the continued recovery of the region.   

Advancement of Singapore-Japan Relations

9          SJ50 was not just about celebrating 50 years of deep friendship.  It was an opportunity to look ahead, and explore how we can deepen our cooperation for mutual benefit.  Our two countries share similar interests and face common challenges in many areas, and there is much room for us to further collaborate and learn from each other. 

10        Let me highlight areas where we can work together.  First, the aviation sector.  Further liberalisation of the Singapore-Japan Air Services Agreement will boost Singapore’s and Tokyo’s positions as the air hubs of our respective regions.  In particular, there is scope to increase capacity not only between Singapore and Japan, but beyond to further destinations, in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.  In this light, I am glad that the new Vice-Ministerial Level Transport Forum was convened for the first time this April.  Our cooperation on this front will strengthen Japan’s connectivity in the Southeast Asian region and beyond, and build on the progress we have achieved thus far.

11        Second, the JSEPA.  We are now facing a vastly different economic landscape from 2002 when we first signed the JSEPA.  Asia’s impact on the global economy has strengthened, but at the same time, protectionist sentiments have grown.   An upgraded JSEPA will complement our cooperation on regional trade initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as well as benefit our companies and peoples.  Officials from both sides are working on the third review of the agreement, and I look forward to a substantive conclusion soon. 

12        Third, the Japan-Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century, or JSPP21 in short.  This is Singapore’s largest joint technical assistance programme with any partner country.  Together, we have trained more than 6,200 government officials from around the world since 1997.  This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the JSPP21.  We should continue to improve the JSPP21 to address emerging development challenges and promote further regional integration, so that it remains relevant and useful into the next decades.    

13        Last but not least, emerging new areas.  Japan is one of the most technologically advanced countries, while Singapore is leveraging new technologies to drive our economic growth and development.  We should tap on our synergies in areas such as geriatric care, smart nations, robotics and artificial intelligence.  I believe we must start today in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Japan’s Engagement of the Region/ASEAN

14        I have spoken about the close relationship between our two countries.  Beyond our strong bilateral links, Singapore and Japan are also close partners at regional and multilateral fora.  Nowhere is this collaboration more evident than in Japan’s engagement of ASEAN.

15        Japan is one of ASEAN’s most longstanding and substantive Dialogue Partners.  Through ASEAN’s early years, Japan’s support in the form of technical assistance and human resource development helped Member States grow their economies.  Japan is now ASEAN’s fourth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade accounting for 9% of ASEAN’s total trade in 2016.  Japan was also ASEAN’s second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) last year.  The ASEAN-Japan relationship has blossomed into a multi-faceted one, covering a wide range of areas, from connectivity and disaster management, to health and welfare.

16        ASEAN and Japan also enjoy deepening people-to-people ties, fostered through exchange programmes such as the annual Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme, or SSEAYP in short.  Since its launch in 1974, SSEAYP has benefitted more than 10,000 participants, including 1,000 Singaporean youths. The 50-day cruise has proven to be an effective vessel for fostering enduring friendships between ASEAN and Japanese youths, as well as enhancing our young leaders’ understanding of regional issues.    

17        In today’s Public Forum, you will be discussing the future of Japan’s cooperation with ASEAN and the region.  This is a timely topic, as Singapore assumes the chairmanship of ASEAN next year.  We will also be celebrating the 45^th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations then.  There are many areas where we can strengthen our engagement and collaboration.  

18        For a start, we hope to conclude and sign the Protocol to the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership and make good progress on the RCEP.  When concluded, these agreements will be a powerful tool in furthering regional integration.  At a time of rising protectionist sentiment across the world, these agreements will send a clear message that Japan and ASEAN remain committed to our efforts at further integration.  

19        Singapore’s Chairmanship year will focus on the themes of innovation and resilience.  Innovation will keep ASEAN forward-looking so as to harness the opportunities and manage challenges from disruptive digital technologies.  We hope to advance e-commerce, pursue initiatives on cybersecurity cooperation, and catalyse the development of smart cities in ASEAN.  As a leader in digital technology and urban development, Japan is uniquely positioned to be a key partner as we leverage technological solutions in addressing issues that arise from rapid urbanisation across the region, such as city congestion, water and air quality, and citizen security.  Our cooperation in these areas will complement ongoing Japan-ASEAN initiatives such as the Partnership for Quality Infrastructure and the ASEAN-Japan Innovation Network. 

20        At the same time, our Chairmanship will focus on enhancing the resilience of ASEAN and its associated regional frameworks.  Singapore, like Japan, remains committed to maintaining an open regional architecture and upholding a rules-based international order.  Singapore looks forward to continue working with Japan to uphold and strengthen the centrality of crucial regional frameworks such as the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Plus Three, ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, and the ASEAN Regional Forum.  These mechanisms are invaluable platforms for key stakeholders to engage in dialogue with ASEAN.  

21        Even as we look forward and harness all this potential, we must be mindful that the region faces an increasingly complex security environment, ranging from the simmering tensions on the Korean Peninsula, to non-traditional security threats such as terrorism.  On the Korean Peninsula, any miscalculation could have devastating consequences for all countries in the region.  We hope that meaningful dialogue among the main stakeholders will be resumed sooner rather than later so that current tensions can be brought down.  Closer to home, Marawi may have been liberated, but the threat posed by terrorism is far from over.  The defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq could see fighters returning to the region.  All stakeholders will need to work closely to mitigate the risks that our peoples are exposed to.  These are complex challenges which cannot be solved overnight, but neither can we afford to do nothing and wish the problems away.    

Conclusion

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

22        This Japan-Singapore Symposium symbolizes the longstanding relationship and close cooperation between our countries.  The frank exchange of views that has always taken place at the Symposium reflects the mutual trust and respect between us.  I am confident that the discussion at this year’s Symposium will be equally fruitful and robust.  Thank you. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

24 OCTOBER 2017