Singapore Embassy in Tokyo

14/06/2026

#19/60

there are several Merlion statues across Japan?
 
The first was placed in Hakodate Bay in 1989 through the partnership between Singapore Tourism Board and Hakodate International Tourism and Convention Association, marking the beginning of their sister-organisation relationship. 🦁❄️

More recently, a merlion statue has been unveiled in Chiba prefecture to symbolise the friendship between Singapore and Chiba, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Singapore-Japan diplomatic relations. 🇸🇬🇯🇵

Others can be found at botanical gardens in Miyazaki prefecture through partnerships with Singapore Botanic Gardens, and in cities like Rikuzentakata (in Iwate prefecture) as symbols of friendship and recovery. The latter was unveiled in 2021 in front of the city’s community hall to commemorate Singapore’s donations towards building the community hall, in support of the city following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Photos 1-3: Merlion in Chiba prefecture
Photo 4: Merlion in Hakodate city during winter
Photo 5: Ambassador Ong and Mrs Ong (centre), and Rikuzentaka officials in front of Merlion in Rikuzentaka city during Ambassador’s representational visit in April 2026

12/06/2026

08/06/2026

[Update as at 1722hrs on 8 June 2026]

Dear Singaporeans in Japan,

A magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines this morning triggering the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami advisory for Japan’s Southern coast, from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture. This tsunami advisory has been lifted.

As natural disasters are unpredictable, please continue to monitor the local conditions closely and refer to the following websites for the latest updates and warnings/advisories.

JMA: www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
NHK World-Japan: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/

Singaporeans in Japan who require consular assistance can contact the Embassy at +81 3 3586 9111 (or +81 90 5949 6366 after office hours).

Consular Section
Singapore Embassy in Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 3586 9111 (+81 90 5949 6366 after office hours).
Email: [email protected]

03/06/2026

Thank you to the LDP International Division for organising the Nagatakai (永田会)！🇸🇬🇯🇵

It was a great pleasure for Ambassador Ong Eng Chuan to interact with LDP Secretary-General Suzuki Shunichi, LDP International Division Director-General Kono Taro, and other distinguished members of the LDP International Division.

The Nagatakai serves as a wonderful platform for deepening mutual exchange between Japan and the embassies of countries around the world, and we are happy to have been a part of it. We look forward to participating in more such engagements with the LDP in the future!

02/06/2026

⚠️ Update via E-Register ⚠️

Dear Singaporeans in Japan,

Typhoon Jangmi is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Pacific Coast side of the Shikoku, southern Kinki and Kanto-Koshin regions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of possible landslides and flooding in low-lying areas and overflowing rivers in the Amami region on Tuesday and in western Japan from Tuesday into Wednesday.

JMA has also advised to check where evacuation centres are located in their neighbourhood before the typhoon approaches and to evacuate if necessary during daylight hours before the rain and wind intensify.

Flights, Shinkansens, ferries and other public transport services may be cancelled or severely delayed, so plan around it and stay indoors as much as possible.

You are also advised to ensure your valuables especially your passports are kept in waterproof bags to prevent damage from contact with water.

Please monitor the local conditions closely and refer to the following websites for the latest updates and warnings/advisories.

JMA: www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
NHK World-Japan: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/

Singaporeans in Japan who require consular assistance can contact the Embassy at +81 3 3586 9111 (or +81 90 5949 6366 after office hours).

Consular Section
Singapore Embassy in Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 3586 9111 (+81 90 5949 6366 after office hours).
Email: [email protected]

31/05/2026

#18/60

Before May comes to a wrap, then-President S R Nathan made a State Visit to Japan from 9 to 16 May 2009, marking the first State Visit by a Singapore President to Japan. The was after Their Majesties then-Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko’s visit to Singapore in 2006 in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of our diplomatic ties. 🎊

In Japan, then-President Nathan met Their Majesties. He also met senior Japanese leaders and received an Honorary Degree from Keio University. Then-President Nathan visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima, and was warmly welcomed by the people of Japan.
🇸🇬🇯🇵❤️

Photo Credits:
Imperial Household Agency, Japan

30/05/2026

#17/60

Designed by renowned Japanese architect Tange Kenzo 丹下健三 and officially declared open by Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1989, the Singapore Indoor Stadium has hosted a wide variety of sports, entertainment and community events.

The Singapore Sports Council commissioned Tange in 1987 to design the stadium. The sloped roof of the stadium resembles temple architecture found in Asia, and the venue was acclaimed as an architectural icon, with its ultramodern design that exemplifies Asian cultural values.

Apart from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Nanyang Technological University, One Raffles Place, the UOB Plaza and Pickering Operations Complex were also designed by Tange and his team.

Tange’s famous works in Japan include the Yoyogi National Gymnasium (built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics) and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

Photo 1: Mr Tange Kenzo
Photo 2: Singapore Indoor Stadium
Photo 3: Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore, 1989
Photo 4: Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan, 1964

Photo Credits:
Photos 1, 3, 4: Tange Associates
Photo 2: National Library Board, Singapore

28/05/2026

#16/60

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our bilateral relations (SJ60), post Singapore’s independence. But the history of our longstanding relations dates back to the 19th century when Otokichi Yamamoto 音吉山本 (also known as John Matthew Ottoson or Lin Ah Tao) arrived on Singapore’s shores in the late 1840s as a merchant. 🚢 Recognised as the first Japanese resident in Singapore, Otokichi was born in 1817 in Mihama, Aichi prefecture and eventually moved to Singapore and stayed on until his death in 1867. His simple story encapsulates the fascinating history shared between our two countries. 🇸🇬🇯🇵

Read on to find out more about Otokichi’s life story and story in Singapore: https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=b708902a-d7a3-4e9a-9ade-458cc45d9207

Photo: An 1849 illustration of Yamamoto Otokichi. Artist unknown. Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

22/05/2026

As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Japan this year, we spent a sunny and fun-filled Saturday last weekend welcoming Japanese junior high school students studying in Minato ward (where our Embassy is located), and their parents, to the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo Open House on 16 May! 🇸🇬🇯🇵 ☀️🎒

Japanese friends played our traditional childhood games like five stones, chapteh and erasers. They also sampled Singapore's iconic dishes such as chicken rice, satay, bak kwa, kopi and teh.

Merli-kun who joined in the Open House also had fun interacting with our Japanese friends as much as they did!

Catch Ambassador Ong’s message for the Open House! ❤️
———————————————
今年はシンガポールと日本の外交関係60周年を記念して、先週の土曜日、晴れやかで楽しいひとときを過ごしました。5月16日に開催された在日シンガポール共和国大使館オープンハウスに、大使館のある港区で学ぶ日本の中学生とその保護者の皆さまをお迎えしました！🇸🇬🇯🇵 ☀️🎒

日本の皆さまは、ファイブストーンズ（5つの石）、チャプテー、消しゴムゲームといった、シンガポールの伝統的な子どもの遊びを楽しまれました。また、チキンライス、サテー、バクワ、コピ、テーなど、シンガポールを代表する料理も味わっていただきました。

オープンハウスに参加したシンガポール政府観光局のマスコット、マーリーくんも、日本の皆さまとの交流をとても楽しんでいました！

オープンハウスに向けたオン大使のメッセージをぜひご覧ください！❤️

15/05/2026

Dear Singaporeans in Japan,

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake has struck off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture. There is currently no tsunami threat from the quake.

Please monitor the local conditions closely and refer to the following websites for the latest updates and warnings/advisories.

JMA: www.jma.go.jp/jma/indexe.html
NHK World-Japan: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/

Singaporeans in Japan who require consular assistance can contact the Embassy at +81 3 3586 9111 (or +81 90 5258 3252 after office hours).

Consular Section
Singapore Embassy in Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 3586 9111 (+81 90 5258 3252 after office hours).
Email: [email protected] See less

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