MFA Press Statement: Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam to Japan, 13 to 17 March 2015

        Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam will visit Japan from 13 to 17 March 2015 to attend the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3UNWCDRR).   

        Singapore will deliver a statement at the 3UNWCDRR Plenary Session in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.  In addition, Minister Shanmugam will officiate at the opening ceremony of the Multi-Purpose Community Hall in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.  He will also attend a 3UNWCDRR side event “Resilience for Tomorrow: Creating an Inclusive City out of Devastation” held at the Rikuzentakata Multi-Purpose Community Hall. 

        In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011, the Singapore Government contributed S$500,000 to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) as seed money for a broader nationwide donation drive.  The SRC eventually raised S$35.7 million.  In addition to supporting the immediate relief and recovery efforts, SRC also earmarked contributions to build four projects in the affected regions.  The newly-completed Multi-Purpose Community Hall in Rikuzentakata represents Singapore’s largest and final reconstruction project in the Tohoku region. 

        During his visit, Minister Shanmugam will have bilateral meetings with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, Komeito Chief Representative Natsuo Yamaguchi, Democratic Party of Japan President Katsuya Okada, as well as ranking Rikuzentakata City officials.   

        Minister Shanmugam will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Singapore Red Cross.

.     .     .     .     .

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

12 MARCH 2015