[Title] CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN TAKAICHI SANAE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 60thANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND SINGAPORE

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Singapore today, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations, on behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, as well as express my renewed gratitude to the Government and the people of Singapore for their dedicated efforts in building a strong bilateral relationship.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on April 26, 1966, our two countries, as maritime nations sharing fundamental values and principles, have developed a cooperative relationship. Today we have become partners working together to address regional and global challenges. In the area of economic cooperation, Singapore was the first country for Japan to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement. Japan and Singapore have also worked together to uphold and advocate free trade, including through CPTPP. Furthermore, as like- minded countries that maintain and strengthen a rules-based, free, and open international order, we have contributed to regional stability and prosperity, through cooperations toward the realization of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" and "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific".

The upgrade of the Japan-Singapore relationship to a "Strategic Partnership" during Your Excellency's visit to Japan this March demonstrated that the close bilateral cooperation, which our two countries had built up over many years, has now developed into a new phase.

In the Joint Statement issued with Your Excellency, we identified five priority cooperation areas as guiding principles for the further development of our bilateral relationship. Under these principles, I look forward to cooperating with Your Excellency to deepen the Japan-Singapore cooperation toward the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations in 2036.

The foundation of our bilateral relationship lies in the exchanges between our peoples. Taking advantage of the various anniversary events to be held this year, I strongly hope that exchanges and mutual understanding between our peoples will be deepened, thereby laying the firm groundwork to further advance the "Strategic Partnership".

In closing, I sincerely pray for the continued prosperity and good health of Your Excellency and the people of the Republic of Singapore.

Sincerely yours,

TAKAICHI Sanae

Prime Minister of Japan