TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday (Aug 24), on behalf of the Japanese government, has expressed condolences to the family of former Singapore president S R Nathan and the people of Singapore on his death.

The Japanese government, in a statement on the website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also remembered Mr Nathan for his contribution towards long-standing positive ties between the two countries, including his state visit to the country in 2009.

It highlighted his actions, when he was a director at Singapore's Ministry of Defence, to avoid bloodshed during the Laju incident in 1974, which involved a hostage-taking at the Japanese Embassy in Kuwait.

The statement also described Mr Nathan as "a cornerstone of unity among the Singapore people" who had contributed massively to the Republic's stability and prosperity.

It noted that he was fluent in Japanese, and a huge Japanophile.

Mr Nathan died peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital on Aug 22 at the age of 92.