Singapore Navigates "New Chapter" with Japan While Scaling Partnerships with China and South Korea

Singapore enters a new chapter with Japan while deepening ties with China and South Korea. SMS Sim Ann emphasizes reconciliation and economic rebalancing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 8:31 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNA

A Strategic Pivot to Northeast Asia

Singapore is recalibrating its foreign policy to reflect the growing economic weight of Northeast Asia. Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann emphasized on Friday that while ASEAN remains the cornerstone of Singapore’s diplomacy, engaging with China, Japan, and South Korea is now "strategic and essential." She noted that Asia has transformed from a production hub into a global center for consumption and capital, with the ASEAN+3 region emerging as the world's largest collective market.

Japan: Reconciliation as a Pillar for Future Ties

As Singapore and Japan prepare to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is scheduled to visit Japan later this month. Minister Sim Ann noted that while the two nations are ready to collaborate on the digital economy and green transitions, the "damage and suffering" caused by Japan during World War II remains a sensitive historical issue.

"Singapore hopes that Japan will consider how to put these outstanding issues to rest... honest remembrance and continued efforts at reconciliation can strengthen regional trust." — Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State

She specifically addressed the "Sook Ching" operation, where tens of thousands of civilians lost their lives, noting that these events are documented in Singaporean texts to ensure lessons are never forgotten. Despite this history, the economic partnership remains robust, with over 5,300 Japanese companies currently employing more than 100,000 Singaporeans.