S'pore can be friends with both China & Japan, 'we do not allow ourselves to be trapped by history': PM Wong

Singapore can be friends with both China and Japan despite tensions between the two countries, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Mar. 18.

Speaking at the wrap-up interview of his first official visit to Japan as PM, he emphasised that Singapore remembers the past, but does not "allow ourselves to be trapped by history".

Remember the past, but not be trapped by it

PM Wong was responding to questions on Japan's role in the region that is often clouded by historical sensitivities, as well as Singapore's position in the midst of these tensions.

He referenced these points in an op-ed published on Japanese news outlet Nikkei on Mar. 17, before meeting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

"We hope Japan will continue its efforts to build trust and confidence, so that together we can maintain a safe and stable regional environment," PM Wong said then.

In the wrap-up interview, he confirmed that the points were raised in discussions with Takaichi.

Japan has a significant economic and diplomatic clout that Singapore hopes can benefit regional affairs, he added, though the country has traditionally taken a more low-key approach due to wartime history.

Not trapped by history

"The history is important, we cannot forget the history," he said, referencing the "dark, painful period" of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, and Total Defence Day marking the British surrender.

PM Wong also said Singapore drew important lessons from history, including the principle that only Singaporeans will defend themselves.

"But at the same time, we do not allow ourselves to be trapped by history. Remembering the past does not mean we cannot move forward to forge a mutually beneficial relationship with Japan," he said.

It has been the way since the term of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who erected the Civilian War Memorial, PM Wong added.

"Of course, not all countries in the region feel the same way...Singapore's position is, we hope Japan can more clearly articulate its position on these issues and put to rest these outstanding historical issues."

Ties with China

One such country is China, whose relationship with Japan soured after Takaichi made remarks in parliament on Nov. 7 about the Taiwan Strait, and whose historical animosities with Japan have repeatedly emerged.

Singapore is a friend to both China and Japan, said PM Wong, who added that "we hope both sides will continue to maintain dialogue and eventually find ways to resolve their differences."

He also said that China "knows about [his] visit" to Japan and has continued to invite him to the Boao Forum in Hainan, China from Mar. 24 to 27.

Singapore's friendship with China and Japan, or even the U.S., China's main economic rival, is not a "zero-sum affair", said PM Wong.

"There will be more scrutiny over what Singapore does. When I am in one country, the other country may take notice. This time it is Japan. Next week will be China. At some point when I am in America, the same thing will happen."

"But as far as a small country is concerned, it is helpful to have maximum strategic space for us to operate, and that means cultivating and maintaining good relations with as many powers as possible as we can," he said.

"We want to maintain as many good friends as possible. As Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, we want to have as many strong and reliable friends as possible."

He also answered a question about comments he previously made at the Bloomberg Forum in November 2025, which gained significant online uproar over what some perceived as PM Wong asking China to "drop its historical prejudices", according to the Business Times.

In spite of this, Singapore continues to have "very good relations" which China, including through deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong's visit during the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting on Dec. 15, 2025.

"Amongst countries, there will inevitably be differences of views, bound to be, even with friends, there are differences of views," PM Wong concluded his response saying.

"But these differences do not have to hold us back in terms of our bilateral ties or cooperation or partnership.

And our focus in Singapore has always been to find the common ground, to focus on the areas where we have good opportunities to work together and to advance this cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner."

Top images via Lawrence Wong/Facebook & MDDI