Singapore and Japan don’t just get along — they click. One thrives on efficiency, the other on elegance. They’ve built a partnership that moves fast, but with purpose, and this relationship shows up in real ways, every day.

With over five decades of diplomatic relations and a strong eye toward the future, these two countries connect deeply in culture, commerce, and lifestyle. This isn’t just about policies or partnerships — it’s about how people live, learn, and experience each other’s worlds.

Here are 12 lifestyle-forward ways the Singapore–Japan connection continues to evolve — thoughtfully, dynamically, and always with style.

Foundational Ties: Economic Leap, Lifestyle Sync

Singapore and Japan formalized diplomatic relations in 1966, and Japan’s first bilateral FTA was signed in 2002—paving the way for deep economic, cultural, and lifestyle alignment.

QUICK FACTS : Milestone Agreements

• 1966: Diplomatic relations established

• 2002: Japan–Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) signed—Japan’s first bilateral FTA and Singapore’s first with a major partner

Culinary Diplomacy: Flavors Without Borders

Food is a cultural bridge: Singapore’s hawker culture inspired Japanese TV shows, including documentaries and culinary-focused series, and Japanese cuisine — from sushi to ramen — is a crowd favorite in Singapore’s foodie scene. Meanwhile, Japanese culinary brands have extensive overseas networks, including in Singapore, deepening taste ties.

QUICK FACTS : Tasty Exchanges

• Japanese food dramas like Midnight Diner and Samurai Gourmet echo Singaporean hawker culture, focusing on food’s role in community narratives

• Japanese culinary staples such as sushi and ramen are widely loved in Singapore, contributing to a vibrant Japanese food scene
• Singaporean brands like Bee Cheng Hiang (Ginza, 2016) and Ya Kun Kaya Toast (Shinjuku, 2020) have expanded into Japan, promoting local flavors abroad
• Japanese food companies like Ajinomoto maintain a strong presence in Singapore, strengthening cross-cultural culinary ties

Pop Culture Love: From Anime to Pokémon

Japanese pop culture enjoys a passionate following in Singapore, where anime, gaming, cosplay, and music are celebrated year-round through dedicated events, communities, and retail experiences. Anime-themed events in Singapore attract tens of thousands, annually.

QUICK FACTS : Cultural Enthusiasm

• Anime Festival Asia (AFA) —which started in 2008 and attracts over 50,000 fans yearly — is a major annual Japanese pop-culture convention in Singapore
• The EOY Cosplay Festival, held in Singapore since 1999, attracts tens of thousands to celebrate anime, cosplay, and music
• Pokémon Center Singapore, the first permanent store in Asia outside Japan, opened in April 2019 at Jewel Changi Airport

Creative & Design Collaborations: “Cool Japan” Meets Smart Design

Japan and Singapore are jointly nurturing creativity and design innovation across industries, building a shared future of aesthetic excellence and regional creative exchange. Both nations continue to foster creativity through joint exhibitions, design awards, and cultural exchanges.

Japan and Singapore are jointly nurturing creativity and design innovation across industries, building a shared future of aesthetic excellence and regional creative exchange.

QUICK FACTS : Creative Synergy

• Collaboration in creative industries includes design awards, joint exhibitions, and expert exchanges
• The Japan Creative Centre in Singapore has been promoting art, manga, fashion, and hosting cultural outreach programs since 2015

People-to-People Exchange: Youth, Language, Friendship

Beyond trade, this relationship thrives on shared stories and movement—students, youth, and communities build the real connection. The people’s connection runs deep, and cultural exchange programs and language schools promote ties daily.

QUICK FACTS : Building Bonds

• S$35.7 million (approx. ¥2.9 billion) raised by Singaporeans for relief after Japan’s 2011 earthquake
• Nearly 700,000 Singaporeans visited Japan, while close to 600,000 Japanese traveled to Singapore in 2024
• More than 30,000 Japanese residents live in Singapore; about 3,000 Singaporeans in Japan—a vibrant exchange highlighted by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Singapore’s National Day celebrations at the Osaka World Expo, where he also noted that the relationship is entering an “even more dynamic and progressive” chapter

Creative Youth Initiatives: SSEAYP

Since 1974, the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) has brought over 300 young leaders annually from ASEAN and Japan on a 40-day voyage to promote cultural understanding and leadership. Emerging leaders from both countries—and beyond—embark on voyages that blend culture, dialogue, and friendship, forging life-long connections on the high seas.

QUICK FACTS : Youth Diplomacy

• Since 1974, over 300 youths from ASEAN and Japan sail on the SSEAYP for 40+ days of cultural and leadership exchange
• In 2024, each ASEAN country—including Singapore—had 15 Participating Youths (PYs) and 1 National Leader (NL). Japan had 20 PYs and 1 NL
• Historically, over 1,000 Singaporean youths have taken part in the program since its inception

Green & Smart Futures: Tech-Driven Lifestyle Innovation

With Singapore’s Smart Nation vision and Japan’s Digital Garden City Nation (DGC), the two nations explore smart cities, AI, and green infrastructure hand-in-hand. The 2002 JSEPA opened avenues for collaboration in smart technologies; in 2022, Japan and Singapore deepened cooperation on AI, cybersecurity, and smart city design.

QUICK FACTS : Tech & Green Collaboration

• 2002 JSEPA created openings; the 2022 MoCIT–Japan MIC Memorandum of Cooperation deepened ties in AI, cybersecurity, and smart city design

Lifestyle Fusion: Gardens, Architecture & Retail

Japanese influence is woven into Singapore’s everyday landscape — from tranquil garden design to buzzing retail hubs. Whether through thoughtfully crafted public spaces or the popularity of Japanese brands, the blend of tradition and trend shapes a shared urban lifestyle. It’s a quiet yet constant presence that reflects the depth and familiarity of Japan-Singapore ties.

QUICK FACTS : Urban Lifestyle Crossover

• Jurong Japanese Garden opened in 1974, evoking historic Japanese aesthetics and Zen tranquility in Singapore
• Don Don Donki—the international brand of Japan’s famed Don Quijote chain—launched its first Southeast Asian store at Orchard Central in 2017. Singapore now has 17 outlets, the most outside Japan.

Safe & Sustainable Tourism: Destinations of Trust

Singapore stands as a model of urban sustainability, while Japan offers a sanctuary of serene traditions. Tourism between the two is both safe and enriching, seamlessly blending modern comfort with mindful calm.

QUICK FACTS : Trusted Travel

• Singapore leads in sustainable urban design, with globally recognized eco-initiatives like Gardens by the Bay and a growing number of green-certified hotels, such as Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, recognized by BCA Green Mark, GSTC, and Green Globe, aligning with Japan’s appreciation for harmony with nature.
• Japan remains a top destination for Singaporean travelers, who flock to its onsens, seasonal cuisine, and scenic escapes; meanwhile, Japanese visitors are drawn to iconic spots like Marina Bay Sands, popularized through TV dramas and travel media.

Cultural Institutions & Long-Term Programs

Institutions nurture the long game—education, art, film, and dialogue—that keep the spirit of connection vibrant and alive, serving as cultural anchors that sustain ties across generations.

QUICK FACTS : Cultural Anchors

• The Japanese Cultural Society Singapore (JCS) has promoted Japanese arts and language since 1964
• The Japanese Film Festival began in Singapore in 1983 and draws regular audiences through hybrid models today
• The Japanese School Singapore, established in 1912, remains the largest Japanese school abroad

Strategic Partnership: Building Tomorrow Together

From smart cities to clean energy, Singapore and Japan are co-creating solutions that anticipate regional and global challenges. This isn’t just soft power—it’s a strategic alignment, sharing innovation, security, investment, and global responsibility.

From smart cities to clean energy, Singapore and Japan are co-creating solutions that anticipate regional and global challenges.

QUICK FACTS : Future Focus

• Singapore was Japan’s top investor in 2023, directing almost US $3 billion into property ventures such as logistics and warehousing; economic ties rank the two among each other’s top 10 partners
• Singapore chairs ASEAN–Japan coordination on regional integration, aid, and security initiatives, advocating projects in economic integration, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and aviation connectivity

Celebrating Six Decades to Come

In 2026, Singapore and Japan will mark 60 years of strong diplomatic ties, with Expo celebrations and renewed commitments toward cooperation in culture, innovation, and friendship.

QUICK FACTS : Milestone Ahead

• 2026: 60th diplomatic anniversary
• At Osaka Expo 2025, SM Lee highlighted the partnership’s dynamism and pledge for future collaboration

The Singapore–Japan friendship is grounded in shared refinement, mutual respect, and continual cultural curiosity. The two powerhouses are not just diplomatic allies—they’re lifestyle collaborators.

Together, their friendship plays out in daily life — where innovation meets nuance and design meets tradition, moving ever-forward.