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Recently, our President Dr Tony Tan made a state visit to Japan, and besides that, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Vivian Balakrishnan visited Japan in September and April respectively as well, bringing the SJ50 celebrations into its climax. Japanese Emperor Akihito and his wife visited Singapore 10 years ago in 2006, to celebrate 40 years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations.
New records are being set for people-to-people exchange as well. A total of 300,000 Singaporeans visited Japan, which is about 10% of the total Singaporean citizen population, and Japanese citizens residing in Singapore has also gone up to nearly 40,000 people. This implies the ever-increasing cultural exchanges (between both countries).
For example, the Japanese School in Singapore has 3 campuses consisting of 2 primary schools and 1 secondary school with over 2,300 students. As this year also coincides with 50 years of the school’s establishment, these Japanese primary and secondary students not only sang Japan’s national anthem solemnly during the school’s anniversary celebration, but also sang Singapore’s national anthem “Majulah Singapura” in a bright and unified voice. This was a touching scene.
However, this is not a performance specially put up for their 50th anniversary, but it is a regular activity performed every year in every cohort. Being a board member of their school, I have been participating in their school activities such as orientation and graduation ceremony for many years, and have witnessed the same situation.
This reflects a kind of spirit in education, a respect to their place of residence, to express their gratitude to the locals for the comfortable environment we have provided such as safety, convenience and hygiene.
Changing the course of history all lies in us
Above is a simple summary of how the relationship between Singapore and Japan developed, from the great disparity in strength and capabilities between both countries 50 years ago, to today’s harmonious relationship 50 years after. How are all these possible over the years?
Singapore and Japan established diplomatic ties 50 years ago in 1966, one year after Singapore’s independence. However, despite the diplomatic relationship in name, there were still largely negative feelings towards Japan among the people, as it was only just 20 years since the end of the dark days during Imperial Japanese occupation.
Looking back today, it is not easy that Singapore-Japan relationship was able to overcome all the difficulties, with having such close ties and a mutual benefit win-win situation. All of these could not have been possible without the foresight of our pioneers.
We will naturally think of our political forefathers led by founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, with their pragmatic attitude to resolve post-war problems and forward-looking approach towards Japan, who were able to fulfill what was previously mentioned, which resulted in a bright and thriving relationship we see today between Singapore and Japan.
However, despite the strategic vision Singaporean leaders at that time had, it would not be possible if it is only one-sided, without the willingness to cooperate from the other party.
Speaking about this, PM Lee Hsien Loong highlighted an important and critical diplomacy event at a seminar discussion during his visit to Japan on September, which is the “Fukuda Doctrine” as proclaimed by the then Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda in 1977, and it is a timely reminder.
Looking back today, the position adopted by Takeo Fukuda was a turning point for the relationship between Singapore and Japan, as well as between ASEAN state members and Japan. It served as the foundation of everlasting good relationship between post-war Japan and various ASEAN nations.
Significance of Fukuda Doctrine
What is “Fukuda Doctrine” all about? In order to restore the negative feelings towards Japan after the war, Japan came out with new directions to develop foreign relations with Southeast Asian countries. The then Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda delivered the “Fukuda Doctrine” at Manila in 1977, after his visits to various Southeast Asian countries. The three pointers are:
| (1) | Japan will never be a military power, and will make contributions to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia. |
| (2) | Besides political and economy, Japan would also build up a relationship of mutual confidence and trust in terms of social, culture and other wide-ranging fields; and |
| (3) | Japan would cooperate positively with ASEAN and its member countries in their own efforts, as an equal partner, and contribute to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia as a whole through a reconciliation with their counterparts in the Indochina Peninsula. (Note: countries in the Indochina Peninsula were on the other side of the regime then) |
The important significance of “Fukuda Doctrine” is that other than political and economy, its new strategic vision also focused more on cultural exchanges and interactions. It would also increase cooperation as an equal partner with ASEAN as a whole, as well as with each individual ASEAN country.
For Singapore, it meant that we are able to share mutual respect on equal grounds with Japan despite us being a small nation.
However, being able to realise the slogan is more important. What is the current status 40 years after the delivering of “Fukuda Doctrine”? As various Southeast Asian countries were able to set off its relationship with Japan in a rational and pragmatic attitude, political and emotional feelings among its people were straightened out and therefore able to focus on economic development and raising standards of living. The close and harmonious relationship between Singapore and Japan today has indeed proven that such a way of interaction has successfully passed the test of time.
Sharing mutual respect and benefits
After years of mutual understanding between both countries, the main reason many Singaporeans are travelling to Japan today is because of the sense of security it gives, in a neat and clean environment, enjoying delicious cuisines without any worries, with beautiful sceneries and lastly, high quality of service. Moreover, not only Singaporeans, but also people from around the world, including the sudden massive number of Chinese tourists we see in recent years, are flocking in to Japan.
As for why Japanese like to come to Singapore, whether it is for work or leisure, we always hear that Singapore makes them feel at home, with good public order, easy to get around, comfortable life and also high level of hygiene which gives them a sense of security.
For the Japanese community who are residing in Singapore, other than their nature of character in abiding the law, they participate actively in various community and charity activities. Japanese community leaders have often called for the community to be grateful for everything Singapore has provided. As mentioned earlier, this kind of attitude is reflected in the students of the Japanese school through their singing of “Majulah Singapura”.
The number of Japanese coming to Singapore is also increasing. How precious it is to have such positive energy brought about by mutual respect!
Looking ahead and developing further
Looking beyond the bilateral relationship between Singapore and Japan into what is currently taking place internationally, we see the transition of power in USA, rising of China, the minds of the people are changing at various parts of the world.
After the test of time, there are a few things that can be said to remain unchanged for Japan and Singapore relationship, which are the following principles:
| (1) | Whether the country is big or small, the fruit of benefiting mutually will only be realised under equal terms and mutual respect. |
| (2) | Besides political and economic interest, only mutual understanding, exchanges and integration of people-to-people and culture will be able to result in unexpected positive power during key times. |
With such a basis, we can look ahead to the future development of Singapore-Japan relationship. If we can leverage on and further enhance each other’s strengths, such as the high quality of soft power, service and products, together with Singapore’s advantage and capability to connect with the world, our market is everywhere.
I believe the outlook is optimistic for the next 50 years and beyond.
| Author: |
Tan Jong Lek
Former President, The Japanese University Graduates Association of Singapore (JUGAS)
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This is a translated version of an article originally published in Lianhe Zaobao of 19th December, 2016.
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