Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Tokyo, Japan, from 20 to 23 May for a working visit, and attended the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) CEO Council Tokyo Meeting 2019 today.

Dr Ng spoke on the key regional security issues facing Southeast Asia during the dialogue session on the topic of "Business and Security". During the dialogue, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of ASEAN centrality and the US-China relationship as key determinants of regional peace and stability. In light of this, Dr Ng emphasised the importance of regional institutions and meetings, "We started the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in 2010, which is ten ASEAN countries plus eight countries, and we have militaries exercising together."

The WSJ CEO Council Tokyo Meeting 2019 brings together approximately 190 government and business leaders, and experts to discuss business, economic, and security issues of the day.