(Kansai, 24th) The Singapore National Day celebration was held at the Singapore Pavilion's "Sphere of Dreams" at the Osaka Expo in Kansai on Sunday (August 24). Singapore Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singaporeans and friends of Singapore gathered at the Singapore Pavilion not only to celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday, but also to commemorate the long-standing friendship between Singapore and Japan.
In his speech, Senior Minister Lee said: "I am very pleased to come to the Osaka Expo and celebrate Singapore's 60th National Day together with Singaporeans and friends of Singapore."
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. Senior Minister Lee pointed out that the extraordinary partnership between the two countries is particularly reflected in the economic sphere. Japanese enterprises such as Sony, Panasonic, Shimano, Sumitomo Group and others, invested in Singapore very early on, becoming steadfast partners in Singapore's nation-building journey.
Today, Singapore became Japan's largest investor in 2023 and is also the third largest source country of foreign direct investment stock. Companies from both countries are collaborating in fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart city solutions.
Senior Minister Lee attended the Expo's Singapore National Day celebration as guest of honor. Japanese leaders including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and former Foreign Minister Taro Kono also attended the event.
In his address, Yoshimasa Hayashi said: "In recent years, both countries have deepened their multi-faceted and multi-level people-to-people relations. As important partners, we uphold shared fundamental principles and values, working hand in hand to address the various challenges faced by the international community today."
Both Senior Minister Lee and Yoshimasa Hayashi believe that people-to-people exchanges and interactions are the most important component of the friendly relationship between the two nations, and that tourism is the prime example.
Yoshimasa Hayashi said: "Last year, there were 690,000 visits from Singapore to Japan, while there were only 570,000 from Japan [to Singapore], a little lower. However, I believe that through various exchange activities, personnel exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Singapore will deepen further."
Senior Minister Lee responded with a smile in his speech: "Among the Singaporean tourists to Japan, I was one of them."
Senior Minister Lee also emphasized that 80 years of openness and rules-based multilateral order have promoted world peace and prosperity, benefiting countries large and small, including Japan and Singapore.
He hopes Singapore-Japan relations can continue to deepen, and that the two countries can cooperate closely on regional issues. He also welcomed Japan’s increased contribution to regional peace and security.
Since the Expo opened, the Singapore Pavilion's "Sphere of Dreams" has been extremely popular, with the number of visitors exceeding one million by mid-August, including distinguished guests such as Japanese royal family members including Princess Aiko.
In his speech, Senior Minister Lee said: "I am very pleased to come to the Osaka Expo and celebrate Singapore's 60th National Day together with Singaporeans and friends of Singapore."
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan. Senior Minister Lee pointed out that the extraordinary partnership between the two countries is particularly reflected in the economic sphere. Japanese enterprises such as Sony, Panasonic, Shimano, Sumitomo Group and others, invested in Singapore very early on, becoming steadfast partners in Singapore's nation-building journey.
Today, Singapore became Japan's largest investor in 2023 and is also the third largest source country of foreign direct investment stock. Companies from both countries are collaborating in fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart city solutions.
Senior Minister Lee attended the Expo's Singapore National Day celebration as guest of honor. Japanese leaders including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and former Foreign Minister Taro Kono also attended the event.
In his address, Yoshimasa Hayashi said: "In recent years, both countries have deepened their multi-faceted and multi-level people-to-people relations. As important partners, we uphold shared fundamental principles and values, working hand in hand to address the various challenges faced by the international community today."
Both Senior Minister Lee and Yoshimasa Hayashi believe that people-to-people exchanges and interactions are the most important component of the friendly relationship between the two nations, and that tourism is the prime example.
Yoshimasa Hayashi said: "Last year, there were 690,000 visits from Singapore to Japan, while there were only 570,000 from Japan [to Singapore], a little lower. However, I believe that through various exchange activities, personnel exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Singapore will deepen further."
Senior Minister Lee responded with a smile in his speech: "Among the Singaporean tourists to Japan, I was one of them."
Senior Minister Lee also emphasized that 80 years of openness and rules-based multilateral order have promoted world peace and prosperity, benefiting countries large and small, including Japan and Singapore.
He hopes Singapore-Japan relations can continue to deepen, and that the two countries can cooperate closely on regional issues. He also welcomed Japan’s increased contribution to regional peace and security.
Since the Expo opened, the Singapore Pavilion's "Sphere of Dreams" has been extremely popular, with the number of visitors exceeding one million by mid-August, including distinguished guests such as Japanese royal family members including Princess Aiko.