The Land of the Rising Sun and the Lion City: The Story of Japan and Singapore
- Description
- About the Editors
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After Japan was hit by a triple disaster — an earthquake, a tsunami and a nuclear meltdown — in 2011, Singapore raised about S$35.7 million — one of its largest contributions for disaster relief in another country.
In 2023 — the year after Japan had relaxed border measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in 2020 — 591,267 travellers from Singapore visited Japan. This was equivalent to almost 15 per cent of Singapore’s resident population. In 2024, this number grew further by 16.9 per cent to 691,100.
The people of Singapore have shown strong support for Japan, even though Japan had occupied their home from 1942 to 1945, during the Second World War.
Things improved later. After Singapore became independent in 1965, Japan established diplomatic relations with it in 1966 and contributed significantly to its development. Both countries have also since cooperated in various areas, including the economic, defence and security spheres.
The Land of the Rising Sun and the Lion City: The Story of Japan and Singapore illustrates the growing ties between both countries through their people’s experiences. The collection of 68 essays is contributed by more than 80 writers from various walks of life, including government officials, entrepreneurs, artists, academics and journalists.
They include: Singapore’s Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Pang Kin Keong and Japan’s former Special Advisor on National Security Miyagawa Makio, who had led the negotiations for the 2002 Japan–Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement; former Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Tan Chin Tiong and Bilahari Kausikan; Nippon Paint Chairman Goh Hup Jin; Albirex Niigata President Korenaga Daisuke; TungLok Group President Andrew Tjioe, chef Willin Low; Enshu Sado School’s Grand Master Kobori Sojitsu; World Toilet Organization founder Jack Sim; Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Singapore Office’s Executive Director Shiraishi Takuya; Gardens by the Bay Chief Executive Felix Loh; Japan Creative Centre Director Kawabe Akiko; Singapore Film Society Chairman Kenneth Tan; Artistic Director of the Singapore Biennale 2006 and 2008, Nanjo Fumio; National Gallery Singapore’s Assistant Chief Executive Aun Koh; Cultural Medallion winners Iskandar Jalil, Dick Lee and Eric Khoo; Youtuber Ghib Ojisan; and journalists Walter Sim and Michiyo Ishida.
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Japan’s former Minister for Digital Transformation Kono Taro penned the forewords.
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Dr Tommy Koh is Emeritus Professor of Law of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Ambassador-at-Large at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is also the Special Adviser to the Institute of Policy Studies and Chairman of the International Advisory Panel of the Centre for International Law at the NUS. He served as Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Ambassador to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. He was the Chief Negotiator for the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and the Agent of the Government of Singapore in two legal disputes with Malaysia.
Ambassador Ishikawa Hiroshi is a career diplomat with 35 years of experience in the Japanese Foreign Service. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, he was Deputy Minister in the Foreign Minister’s Secretariat. He had served as Director-General of the Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, Director of the First China and Mongolia Division, Director of the First North America Division and Director of the National Security Policy Division. He had also completed overseas postings to the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York, the US, and the Embassy of Japan in China.
Cover Type: Paperback
Page Count: 472
Year Published: 2025
Size: 227mm x 152mm
Language: English