PMs Wong & Takaichi announce upgrade of S'pore-Japan relations to Strategic Partnership, including on trade & security

Singapore and Japan established a Strategic Partnership on Mar. 18, in an upgrade of Singapore-Japan relations on its 60th anniversary.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on an official visit to Japan from Mar. 17 to 19, signed on the framework with Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi on the second day of his trip.

The pair met at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo, where PM Wong was also hosted to a working dinner by Takaichi.

Strategic partnership

Both leaders agreed to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation across five pillars, namely trade, technology, security & defence, green energy and partnerships.

Among these were a reaffirmed commitment to free and open trade, economic resilience and mutual prosperity, which will be bolstered by the annual Japan-Singapore Economic Dialogue.

An ICT policy dialogue will also be established between the Ministry of Digital Development and Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, to explore cooperation in the digital fields.

Both countries also agreed to deepen collaboration on the AI ecosystem in areas like AI safety, governance and models that respect local languages and cultures.

They will expand collaboration on space through a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on space cooperation, which will be signed in 2026 between the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS).

Shared interest in regional peace and stability

On security and defence, Singapore and Japan agreed on a shared interest in regional peace and stability, including maritime security.

Both leaders agreed to strengthen their cooperation in a number of areas, including by facilitating high-level exchanges between defence authorities and working with respective law enforcement agencies in combatting transnational crimes like drugs and online scams.

They also reaffirmed a joint action to mitigate climate change and will cooperate in transitioning into a green economy.

Partnerships and exchanges between Singapore and Japan will further be enhanced through increasing and regular engagements at all levels, including through institutional, social, arts and culture, youth, and academic exchanges.

Music lovers

PM Wong was also gifted a guitar strap by Takaichi on his visit, the Japanese PM said in a post on X.

"Since Prime Minister Wong is known to play the guitar, I presented him with a Japanese-made guitar strap in red—the colour of the Singaporean flag. Having heard that he is a fan of Eric Clapton, I handed it over while singing "Layla"," she wrote.

In return, Takaichi said she received a pair of musician's earphones manufactured in Singapore, as well as a record of rock band Deep Purple.

Both leaders are notably music lovers with a shared hobby of playing musical instruments, with Takaichi a skilled drummer.

On his visit, PM Wong wrote on Facebook: "Thank you, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, for the warm hospitality this evening."

"For 60 years, our relationship has remained strong despite a changing world. This milestone reflects our shared strategic outlook and deep, multifaceted ties."

As Asean's coordinator for relations with Japan, Singapore also discussed priorities for the year ahead and how Japan can play a larger role in promoting peace and stability in the region, he added.

PM Wong's visit to Japan is his second in a series of official visits to North East Asian partners.

He made his first official visit as PM to South Korea in early November 2025 following the APEC summit.

According to South China Morning Post, he will also be among the world leaders attending the Boao Forum in Hainan, China from Mar. 24 to 27.

The three visits over a six-month period are part of Singapore's strategy to expand and strengthen regional partnerships, in particular with Northeast Asia, amidst a changed world order.

Top image via Lawrence Wong/Facebook