Conferment Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold and Silver Star to Ambassador Chew Tai Soo
 During the ceremony event. |
Ambassador Chew Tai Soo, Former Singapore’s Ambassador to Japan, was conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Emperor of Japan and presented by His Excellency Ambassador Kenji Shinoda on Tuesday, 21st June 2016. His Excellency Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, graced the ceremony as the Guest-of-Honour. |
| In recognition of his contributions to promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and Singapore, Ambassador Chew Tai Soo assumed various important positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, and greatly aided the development of the Japan-Singapore relations, particularly, during his term as Singapore’s Ambassador to Japan from 1998 to 2004, and in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake as the Coordinator of Singapore’s Effort to Support the Japanese People during the Tohoku Disaster. |  Ambassador Chew Tai Soo and H.E. Kenji Shinoda |
 H.E. Kenji Shinoda giving his speech. |
Being recognised by His Excellency Ambassador Kenji Shinoda as the "Godfather" of the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA), Ambassador Chew Tai Soo is also remembered in Japan as a key figure in building bilateral economic ties between Japan and Singapore. Signed in 2002, the JSEPA was a major milestone for both parties, as it was Japan’s first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) and Singapore’s first with a major developed nation. |
| Ambassador Chew Tai Soo is one of the 91 foreign recipients to receive commendations by the Emperor of Japan this year. Other notable Singaporean recipients of the Order include the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and renowned potter Mr Iskandar Jalil. |
 H.E. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan giving his speech. |
 Ambassador Chew Tai Soo giving his speech. |
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Japan Creative Centre 4 Nassim Road, Singapore 258372 +65 6737 0434 / jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/JCC Nearest parking at Orchard Hotel & Delphi Orchard |
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2016 marks the 50th Anniversary of Singapore-Japan Diplomatic Relations |
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