Opening Remarks by MOS Alvin Tan at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan Singapore Pavilion Media Event

H.E. Ishikawa Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. I am very glad to introduce the Dream Messenger origami campaign for Singapore Pavilion and introduce Sunny - our crimson sunbird Dream Messenger character. The sunbird is small but mighty, like Singapore. The sunbird has a bright red plumage and it is native to Singapore. In fact, it is the unofficial national bird of Singapore. So please look out for it at our Singapore Pavilion at World Expo 2025 in Osaka in April.

Singapore and Japan Bilateral Ties

2. As we prepare to showcase Singapore’s journey of progress and innovation at World Expo, we also celebrate our strong bilateral ties between Singapore and Japan. This year, we celebrate 59 years of diplomatic relations between both countries, and our longstanding friendship is anchored by strong economic ties. Japan is consistently among Singapore’s top 10 trading partners and ties between our people are strong. We see healthy numbers of Singaporean and Japanese visitor flows each way. I thank Japan for hosting World Expo 2025, and our Singapore Pavilion.

3. I hosted Governor of Kyoto Prefecture Takatoshi Nishiwaki and his delegation in Singapore in November. Then, our Dream Sphere was the first international pavilion to begin construction. I am also glad that Sunny, our small crimson sunbird, has been hard at work since, building our Singapore Pavilion, The Dream Sphere.

SG60

4. Speaking of Sunny, the small crimson sunbird is known for moving swiftly, making fast, direct flights. In fact, as of January 2025, there are over 140 weekly direct flights with a weekly capacity of more than 41,000 between Japan and Singapore.

5. And in the blink of an eye, 60 years have also flown by for Singapore. 2025 is a special year for us in Singapore as it marks our 60th year of independence. Singapore Pavilion at World Expo 2025 is one of SG60’s signature events, representing our multiculturalism and openness that defines our nation’s journey.

6. The Singapore Pavilion will showcase 60 works from various organisations, including Nature Society Singapore and SG Enable, and highlight our community’s dreams for the future. This showcases how far we have come, and how far we can go as we dream boldly.

Where Dreams Take Shape

7. In fact, the Pavilion was designed to inspire our myriad dreams to take flight, and be a place ‘Where Dreams Take Shape’. The Pavilion, or what we call the Dream Sphere, will highlight Singapore’s progress over 60 years since independence. It will offer visitors insights into our strategic roadmaps like our Singapore Green Plan 2030 and our coastal protection efforts. It will demonstrate Singapore’s commitment to build stronger communities in a liveable city - a home spruced with our diverse fauna and flora, and a nation strengthened through technology and innovation.

8. These are important parts of our ecosystem, and we all play our individual roles in cultivating it - just like the sunbird which pollinates flowers as it feeds on their nectar which contribute to the balance and health of the local ecosystem, leaving our land more lush and beautiful than when it first arrived.

9. Speaking of food, we have more than just nectar to offer. Dream Sphere will also showcase our food, culture and arts to the world. It will be a platform for our homegrown talents, including artists, musicians, and brands, for Singaporean creativity and innovation to fly the nest, and shine on the world stage. For example, music producer and artist Shye, along with independent dance crew for the Deaf, Redeafination, will perform at Singapore Pavilion. Works by local designers such as Karyn Lim, curated in collaboration with DesignSingapore Council, will also feature in various spaces around the Pavilion.

10. Singapore Tourism Board will soon share a full line up of our homegrown talents whom we will feature at the Pavilion.

Conclusion

11. Today, our Dream Messenger, Sunny, will be carrying our dreams to our Singapore Pavilion in Osaka. I invite all of you to join us along this journey, and allow your dreams to take flight with Sunny. For those who will be in Osaka between April to October this year, we invite you to join the journey and visit our Dream Sphere at the World Expo 2025.

12. Thank you.