At #NDR2025, PM Lawrence Wong charted a course forward for the next chapter of our story. What matters most is our collective Singapore Spirit. We may be a small nation, but so long as we stand together and put “we” before “me”, we will continue to scale greater heights for many more years to come. go.gov.sg/f5mxqo

Saddened to hear about the passing of Maestro Choo Hoey, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s first resident conductor and music director. His efforts put the SSO on the global music stage, and nurtured generations of talented musicians who have since distinguished themselves. I extend my deepest condolences to Maestro Choo Hoey’s family. May his legacy continue to live on in every note that the chorus sings and music that the orchestra plays.

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More lunches with MPs! Caught up with first-term MPs Valerie Lee, Choo Pei Ling, Gho Sze Kee and Goh Hanyan, as well as two-term MP Xie Yao Quan. Glad that Desmond Lee and Jeffrey Siow are also settling in well in their respective Ministries. Look forward to our MPs’ active participation when Parliament opens next month. go.gov.sg/vb0dzq

Konnichiwa! Am in Japan for a week-long working visit. Looking forward to attending our SG60 celebrations at Expo 2025 Osaka. Then onward to Tokyo to call on Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba. Will also be meeting with political and business leaders. I hope this visit to the Land of the Rising Sun, now as Senior Minister, will be a meaningful one and will help foster better relations to come! go.gov.sg/y9ej7l

A good start to my first full day in Osaka. Met several Kansai-based business leaders for lunch to exchange views on economic trends and collaboration. Later, I visited the Shimano Advanced Manufacturing Facility, where I learnt more about their manufacturing processes. go.gov.sg/jcnwaa

Visited teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka, located within the beautiful Nagai Botanical Garden in Osaka. The immersive artworks and exhibits explore how people interact with one another and with nature – a thoughtful intersection of digital art with the natural world. go.gov.sg/znb3yp

Took in the sights and sounds of Kuromon Market and Dotonbori today — two popular landmarks that capture the dynamic spirit of Osaka. I thoroughly enjoyed the good food, as well as the friendly service and warm hospitality from the locals. go.gov.sg/lftqts

Glad to celebrate #SG60 at the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka! I also visited the Japan Pavilion, which wove the themes of sustainability into a beautiful and engaging visitor experience. go.gov.sg/o1z7i3

Honoured to be conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Thank you to PM Shigeru Ishiba and the Government of Japan for this honour. I am proud to have played a part in advancing the friendship between Singapore and Japan. 🇸🇬🇯🇵 go.gov.sg/a59bck

Caught up over dinner with members of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League (JSPFL), led by Chairman Taro Kono. I am grateful for their continued support for our bilateral relations and people to people exchanges. May our friendship grow stronger from generation to generation. go.gov.sg/7enmmd

Another busy day. Met with several Tokyo-based industry leaders to discuss business trends and opportunities for collaboration. Later, I had tea with young politicians to get a better pulse of what is driving Japanese people, and the issues currently affecting them. go.gov.sg/9ywvca

Had another #SG60 National Day celebration in Japan yesterday – with 600 overseas Singaporeans! Glad to see everyone in good spirits and all dressed up in Red and White. Hope you enjoyed having a taste of home at the reception. go.gov.sg/2cew55

Am back home. Met up with some old friends on my last day in Japan, including lunch with former PM Fumio Kishida. I thanked him for his contributions to relations between our two countries, as well as his steadfast friendship to Singapore. go.gov.sg/n940ko

Good to be back home. Thank you everyone for your good wishes while I was in Japan. It was a fruitful visit. I enjoyed my time visiting Expo 2025, as well as my meetings with political and business leaders in Osaka and Tokyo. And of course, it’s always a pleasure meeting overseas Singaporeans. Here are some highlights of my visit! go.gov.sg/lhl-jp-2025

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Happy to join the lively and vibrant youth participants and residents at Youth Fest 2025: Trail & Chill! Enjoyed learning about the social causes that our youths champion and the ground-up projects that they started. The event was also a platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their creative products to the community. go.gov.sg/1rl3im

Happy Teachers’ Day to all teachers and educators! Thank you for nurturing our next generation! Today also marks the start of the September school holidays. I hope that everyone will make good use of this break to recharge and prepare for the final term of the school year. 🙂 go.gov.sg/l7k70l

The 15th Parliament was sworn in today. In his opening address, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam set out the government’s priorities and direction for this new term. He noted the challenges and the opportunities for Singapore, and emphasised on the need to ensure Singapore continues to thrive in this uncertain world. go.gov.sg/g0iemh

Glad to celebrate #SG60 with the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS) at their fundraising dinner last night. Thank you to all for supporting the beneficiaries! In addition, the AAS launched the School Road Safety Playbook, which teaches children how to use our roads more safely. go.gov.sg/6o1fw8

Spoke on our national identity and other topics at the NUS120 Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum yesterday. I hope Singaporeans will keep striving together, to build on our shared values to make a difference in the lives of others and our nation.

You can watch the dialogue here: go.gov.sg/lhl-krmf2025

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Every generation will have its challenges to overcome. COVID was one of them; it’ll not be the last. When the next comes, I hope Singaporeans will do well. If I’m around, I’ll cheer you on; if I’m not, I’ll be looking at you. go.gov.sg/lhl-krmf2025-closing