SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has congratulated his Japanese counterpart Mr Shinzo Abe on the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan's victory in Lower House elections on Sunday, in a letter made public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (Oct 23).

In the letter, Mr Lee wrote to Mr Abe, "Please accept my heartiest congratulations on the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan's resounding victory in the Lower House elections of October 22, 2017. The win is a vote of confidence in your strong leadership and vision for Japan."

Mr Lee noted that Singapore and Japan enjoy long-standing and substantive bilateral relations. "We cooperate well both bilaterally and at international fora, and our economic as well as people-to-people ties are growing," he wrote.

Mr Lee recalled his Official Visit to Japan last year with pleasure, observing that he and Mr Abe took stock of Singapore-Japan relations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

"Looking ahead, there is scope to further broaden and deepen bilateral cooperation in several areas, including smart city initiatives. We welcome Japan's enhanced engagement of Asean under your leadership, and seek Japan's continued support as Singapore assumes the Asean Chairmanship in 2018," wrote Prime Minister Lee.

Concluding his message to Mr Abe, Mr Lee wrote, "I look forward to continuing working with you to bring our bilateral ties to new heights. I wish you good health and success, and hope to meet you again soon."