Media Release
For Immediate Release
19th Japan-Singapore Symposium
Japan and Singapore Strengthen Partnership for Resilience as Diplomatic Ties Mark 60 Years
Singapore, 11 September 2026 – As Japan and Singapore commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations and embark on a new Strategic Partnership, speakers at the 19th Japan-Singapore Symposium (JSS) reaffirmed their longstanding partnership and discussed how they could strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation amid a more uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
At the 19th JSS, a Track 1.5 dialogue held on 10-11 September 2026 in Singapore, participants discussed how Japan and Singapore could work together to strengthen strategic, economic and societal resilience. The symposium, themed “Partnering for Resilience”, was co-chaired by Ambassador Kenichiro SASAE, President of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA); and Mr. Ashok MIRPURI, Head of International Policy & Governance at Temasek.
The JSS Public Forum opened with a video message by Mr. Toshimitsu MOTEGI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. Professor Tommy KOH, Chairman of the NUS Centre for International Law, and Ambassador Hiroshi ISHIKAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, also delivered remarks in a special segment commemorating 60 years of Japan-Singapore diplomatic relations.
The Public Forum concluded with remarks by Mr. Yohei ONISHI, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr Zhulkarnain ABDUL RAHIM, Minister of State in Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs.
Co-hosted by JIIA and the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, the JSS Public Forum welcomed more than 160 participants. These included government representatives, business leaders, academics, experts and members of the public from both countries.
Prior to the Public Forum, delegates participated in three closed-door sessions on strategic resilience and regional order; economic resilience, technology trust and energy security; and societal resilience, human capital and people-to-people partnerships. The discussions considered how Japan and Singapore could exercise their agency, deepen practical cooperation and contribute to a stable, open and inclusive regional order.
In their opening remarks, the Co-Chairs welcomed the progress made in Japan-Singapore relations over the past six decades. They highlighted both countries’ shared commitment to free trade and the rules-based order, and the importance of translating the Strategic Partnership into practical cooperation. They also underscored the value of regular dialogues and exchanges in deepening mutual understanding and trust as both countries addressed common challenges, including technological and demographic changes.
In his keynote, Mr. Motegi described Singapore as an important regional partner in upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law. “I intend to materialise cooperation and further advance the relationship between Japan and Singapore together with my long-time friend, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan,” he said. He also looked forward to deepening Japan-ASEAN cooperation during Singapore’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027.
During the special SJ60 segment, Professor Koh highlighted the shared perspectives and mutual trust underpinning bilateral ties. “Both Singapore and Japan want to work for a world that is governed by law and not by force,” he said. Reflecting on his experience in Singapore, Ambassador Ishikawa said: “I found through people-to-people exchange that there are so many common viewpoints… and very similar kind of value.” He expressed confidence that these commonalities would support closer relations in the future.
The first Public Forum panel, “Japan-Singapore Partnership for a Resilient Asia: Navigating Geopolitical and Security Challenges”, examined how both countries could strengthen regional stability, security, and crisis preparedness while supporting a rules-based international order. The panellists were:
- Mr. Simon TAY, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs
- Professor Akio TAKHARA, Senior Research Adviser, JIIA
- Professor Joseph LIOW, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Chairman, Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore
- Mr. Hiroyuki AKITA, Commentator, Nikkei Inc.
Panellists highlighted the need for Japan and Singapore to work together amidst a changing international order. On peaceful dispute resolution and free trade, Professor Takahara emphasised that “smaller countries should never give up on upholding these principles, these important lessons that we learnt.” The discussion identified resilient supply chains, energy connectivity and quality infrastructure as areas for practical cooperation.
The second Public Forum panel, “Japan-Singapore Partnership for a Resilient Future: Economic Security, Trade and Technology”, considered how both countries could uphold free trade, strengthen economic and supply chain resilience. The following panellists also covered digitalisation, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, energy security and the green transition.
- Mr. Manu BHASKARAN, CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors
- Mr. Shin OYA, Chief Analyst, Sojitz Research Institute
- Ms. Annabel LEE, Director, Strategic Policy Engagements and Campaigns (APJ) and ASEAN, Amazon Web Services
Panellists discussed expanding regional trade arrangements, strengthening financial buffers and advancing digital and energy cooperation. Mr. Bhaskaran called for bolder approaches to resilience, noting that “this is a new world and it requires new thinking.” The discussion also exchanged views on maintaining high trade standards, guarding against protectionism, and balancing responsible AI adoption with innovation.
In their closing remarks, Mr. Onishi and Mr. Zhulkarnain reiterated that Japan and Singapore can continue to count on one another as both countries navigate an uncertain future.
“Becoming ‘more resilient and prosperous together’ is the vision of the Updated ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’ advocated by Japan. Japan and Singapore have great potential to cooperate for this purpose.” Mr. Onishi said. “Such cooperation… is possible precisely because Japan and Singapore share fundamental principles and values.”
“Singapore-Japan cooperation has been driven by a strong orientation towards the future,” Mr. Zhulkarnain said. This is embodied in our SJ60 slogan, ‘Co-imagine, Co-create, Co-evolve’ or, in Japanese, ‘Kyosho, Kyodo, Kyoshin’. May this spirit continue to guide our Strategic Partnership as we chart our next chapter together.”
The Co-Chairs thanked participants for their active engagement and contributions, and expressed confidence that the JSS would continue to support closer cooperation between Japan and Singapore as both countries took their partnership forward.
The SIIA is pleased to be the appointed Secretariat to the JSS and co-organiser of the event with The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore (MFA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA Japan).
About the Japan-Singapore Symposium (JSS)
The JSS was launched in 1994 by then Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Murayama Tomiichi; and then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong. Originally established as a Track 1.5 forum bringing together government officials, business leaders, and scholars from both countries, the JSS focused on business and economic cooperation as well as fostering stronger bilateral ties. Held since 1995, the symposium provides a platform for representatives from diverse sectors to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and build personal and professional networks. On 26 April 2016, in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore, both countries announced that the JSS would become an annual event.
About the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)
Insights • Networks • Access
Established in 1962, the SIIA is an independent, non-profit think tank dedicated to policy analysis, in-depth dialogue, and bridging gaps between policymakers, business leaders, and experts. With a focus on ASEAN-related issues, SIIA produces research on international affairs and topics driving environmental sustainability. The institute has consistently been ranked among the leading think tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific by the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index. Since 2017, it has been recognized as the No. 1 independent think tank in Asia, and as one of the top 50 think tanks globally (excluding the United States). For two consecutive years since 2019, SIIA was ranked the top think tank in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific (excluding India), and in 2020, it was recognized for its policy and institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)
Founded in 1959, the JIIA is a private, nonpartisan think tank focused on foreign affairs and security. JIIA conducts research projects, promotes dialogue and joint studies with domestic and international institutions, evaluates Japan’s foreign policy, makes recommendations to the government, and disseminates information on international relations to the public. Together with its extensive network of affiliated scholars, JIIA serves as a key resource for understanding complex global issues. For more information, visit www.jiia.or.jp/en.
(From left to right) (L-R) H.E. Hiroshi ISHIKAWA, H.E. Kenichiro SASAE, Mr. Yohei ONISHI, Mr. Zhulkarnain ABDUL RAHIM, Mr. Ashok MIRPURI, Prof. Tommy KOH at the 19th Japan-Singapore Symposium Public Forum. (Photo: SIIA)
Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, giving his video remarks at the 19th Japan-Singapore Symposium Public Forum. (Photo: SIIA)
Mr. Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore, giving his closing remarks at the 19th Japan-Singapore Symposium Public Forum. (Photo: SIIA)
Mr. Yohei Onishi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs giving his closing remarks at the 19th Japan-Singapore Symposium Public Forum. (Photo: SIIA)
