Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong will visit Tokyo from 22 to 25 June 2011. ESM Goh will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo at a ceremony on 24 June 2011 (1).The Japanese government has conferred this award on ESM in recognition of his significant contributions towards strengthening Singapore-Japan relations, such as initiating the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) - the first free trade agreement for Japan - and launching the Japan-Singapore Symposium to enhance bilateral exchanges.
In Tokyo, ESM Goh will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto, key politicians from the major political parties and prominent business leaders. ESM will be accompanied by Members of Parliament Mr Desmond Lee and Mr Ong Teng Koon, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 JUNE 2011
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(1) The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji to recognise individuals who had made distinguished contributions to the Japanese nation and its people. The Grand Cordon is the highest rank of this award. Former Prime Minister and Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore's former Ambassador to Japan Mr Lim Chin Beng were conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in 1967 and 2004 respectively.