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Japan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Singapore envoy eyes stronger cyber and digital links with Japan
Cybersecurity and digitalization are among five key areas where Japan and Singapore plan to take relations to fresh highs next year as the partners look to step up cooperation on emerging technologies such as quantum computing, according to the city-state's envoy to Tokyo. 'When it comes to cybersecurity, there are so many different areas that you can look at,' Ambassador Ong Eng Chuan said in an interview with The Japan Times ahead of the two countries' 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. 'While today is artificial intelligence, tomorrow we're looking at the possibility of quantum technology, taking it a step further,' he said, noting that post-quantum cryptography — the development cryptographic systems designed to be secure against both quantum and classical computers — 'is going to create a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.' Ong said Singapore hopes to 'collaborate closely' with Japan in this area 'because the country is already developing that technical capability. He pointed to the work being done by Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, which is working with Intel on a next-general silicon quantum computer. The ambassador said Japan and Singapore plan to use the 2026 anniversary 'as a benchmark to upgrade our relationship,' noting that the partners also aim to deepen collaboration in the areas of trade and the economy, sustainability and climate change, defense and security and people-to-people exchanges. One important and overlooked area of cooperation is how Singapore, which has a Ministry of Digital Development and Information, is often seen as a model for Tokyo's transition to a digital economy, especially as Japan continues to lag behind others, ranking 31st in an international comparison of digital competitiveness conducted last year. Singapore, which ranked No. 1 in the same survey, has been working for at least a decade to become a "smart nation" by leveraging technology to improve different areas such as government, infrastructure and the economy. That drive is supported by a large contingent of government IT engineers, compared with that of Japan — a country of over 120 million people as opposed to Singapore's 6 million. This includes digitalizing government services, with Singaporeans now using apps such as SingPass or LifeSG that enable them to not only have a digital ID card but also interact with the government electronically and access services such as applying for passports, birth certificates and driver licenses from anywhere. Japan, which has sent teams to examine Singapore's approach, is believed to have taken inspiration from the city-state when it began integrating its health insurance card into the My Number Card last year. 'Japan is a very advanced country when it comes to technology, but it's more in terms of the implementation that I think we can share a little bit of our experience,' Ong said. 'So maybe once there is more collaboration in that area, more examples of successes in Singapore, people may be more open to see the conveniences that such technologies can bring to their lives,' he added. 'And I think once that happens, Japan will be an even more efficient country.'
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Japan's Princess Aiko graces Singapore Pavilion at Osaka World Expo
Princess Aiko (right) and Singapore's Ambassador to Japan Ong Eng Chuan watch an animated short film in the Singapore pavilion. PHOTO: THE SINGAPORE PAVILION, EXPO 2025 OSAKA Princess Aiko (left) is guided through the Singapore Pavilion, also known as the Dream Sphere, at the Osaka Expo 2025 by Singapore's Ambassador to Japan Ong Eng Chuan. PHOTO: THE SINGAPORE PAVILION, EXPO 2025 OSAKA – Imperial royalty graced the Singapore Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo on May 9, as Japan's Princess Aiko, known for her passion for animals and humanitarian pursuits, explored the Republic's showcase. The 23-year-old daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako showed a keen fascination with Singapore's urban greening strategies. Guided through the Pavilion by Singapore's Ambassador to Japan, Mr Ong Eng Chuan, Princess Aiko was intrigued by displays illustrating how nature has thrived even with the Republic's rapid urban development. Her curiosity was particularly piqued by Singapore's animal crossings, or ecological bridges, that provide safe passage for wildlife across busy roads and expressways. The Singapore Pavilion, whose distinct spherical architecture is a play on the country's moniker 'Little Red Dot', has been designated as a signature SG60 event to mark Singapore's 60th year of independence. Also known as the Dream Sphere, the exhibits depict the indomitable spirit of an island nation that has weathered the odds, with its residents sculpting their dreams into tangible realities. In doing so, it invites visitors to themselves dream of a brighter tomorrow. At the Dream Repository area, where visitors pen their dreams, Princess Aiko wrote 'world peace' on a digital canvas, smiling as her words were projected onto the dome-shaped ceiling. Lending a personal touch was a display at the Singapore Pavilion of the pure-white orchid hybrid Dendrobium Masako Kotaishi Hidenka, which was named in 1993 to commemorate the marriage of Princess Aiko's parents. The princess remarked that her mother would undoubtedly have been happy with the orchid. Ambassador Ong also introduced Princess Aiko to Singaporean cuisine at the Pavilion's Shiok! Cafe, which offers dishes like chicken rice, laksa, satay and roti prata. She said she had once tried laksa before at the Imperial Palace, prepared by the royal chefs. He invited Princess Aiko to visit Singapore, to which she responded favourably. Princess Aiko (left) guided through the Singapore Pavilion, also known as the Dream Sphere, at the Osaka Expo 2025 by Singapore's Ambassador to Japan Ong Eng Chuan. PHOTO: THE SINGAPORE PAVILION, EXPO 2025 OSAKA 'It was an honour to host Princess Aiko at the Singapore Pavilion,' Ambassador Ong told The Straits Times, highlighting how the Imperial Family had also visited the Singapore Pavilion at past World Expos in Japan – Osaka in 1970 and Aichi in 2005. 'These visits reflect the warm friendship between Singapore and the Imperial Family, and we look forward to more such meaningful engagements in the future,' he said. Princess Aiko, who currently works in the Japanese Red Cross Society, visited the Singapore Pavilion on the second of her two-day visit to the Osaka Expo. Her itinerary also included stops at the Japan Pavilion and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Pavilion. Expo 2025, a celebration of togetherness under the theme of Designing Future Society For Our Lives, is ongoing until Oct 13 on the reclaimed Yumeshima, or Dream Island, in Osaka Bay. Walter Sim is Japan correspondent at The Straits Times. Based in Tokyo, he writes about political, economic and socio-cultural issues. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
