As Asia's most advanced countries in the field of company and could be likened to the countries of Western Europe and the United States, Japan has provided significant investment to Singapore. This is done as soon as the Singapore government decided to expand the corporate sector in the country and making it the backbone of economic development of countries in the early years of the sixties.
The opening of Jurong city has led to an increase in Japanese factories and companies that opened in Singapore. Economic relations between Singapore and Japan narrowed and moved in tandem with the development and progress made by Singapore in the field of industry. By January 1977, Japan is the major business partner to Singapore and most foreign countries to invest here, followed by the United States and West Germany.
Table of Contents
1. The Historical Development of Japanese Investment in Singapore (1979-2007)
Objectives and Topics
This work documents the historical progression and scale of Japanese corporate investment in Singapore from 1979 to 2007, highlighting how various manufacturing sectors, from electronics to high-precision engineering, established Singapore as a key industrial and research hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Growth of Japanese manufacturing subsidiaries in Singapore.
- Strategic shift toward automation and Research & Development (R&D) facilities.
- Integration of local skilled labor and training programs in Japanese firms.
- The impact of Japanese direct investment on Singapore's economic infrastructure.
- Diversification into finance, logistics, and petrochemical sectors.
Excerpt from the Book
The Historical Development of Japanese Investment in Singapore (1979-2007)
As Asia's most advanced countries in the field of company and could be likened to the countries of Western Europe and the United States, Japan has provided significant investment to Singapore. This is done as soon as the Singapore government decided to expand the corporate sector in the country and making it the backbone of economic development of countries in the early years of the sixties. The opening of Jurong city has led to an increase in Japanese factories and companies that opened in Singapore. Economic relations between Singapore and Japan narrowed and moved in tandem with the development and progress made by Singapore in the field of industry. By January 1977, Japan is the major business partner to Singapore and most foreign countries to invest here, followed by the United States and West Germany.
A manufacturer of carburetors for motor saws from Japan has established a subsidiary in Singapore with registered capital of $2 million. Walbro Singapore Pte Limited Company is the first and only company in Southeast Asia producing such a device. This subsidiary to Walbro Far East Incorporation from Japan will have a factory in Kallang Way and started production in January 1979. In the first year of production, it will have about 40 employees, including three specially trained technicians for six months in Japan. The tools that made here will be marketed to countries in Asia, North America and Europe.
Summary of Chapters
The Historical Development of Japanese Investment in Singapore (1979-2007): This chapter provides a chronological account of major Japanese corporate entries, expansions, and operational shifts in Singapore, detailing the move from basic manufacturing to high-tech R&D and financial services over nearly three decades.
Keywords
Japanese investment, Singapore economy, Manufacturing, Foreign direct investment, Jurong, Electronics industry, Automation, Research and Development, Industrial growth, Trade relations, Multinational corporations, Technology transfer, Workforce skills, Economic development, Business expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this document?
The document provides a historical overview of the development and growth of Japanese corporate investment in Singapore, spanning from 1979 to 2007.
What are the primary themes covered?
Key themes include industrial expansion, the evolution of manufacturing sectors, the transition to high-tech and automated production, and the growth of research and development facilities.
What is the main objective of the research presented?
The objective is to chronicle how Japanese companies contributed to Singapore's emergence as an advanced manufacturing and logistics center in the Asia-Pacific region.
What research methodology was employed?
The document uses a longitudinal, historical review based on press reports and economic news archives to trace investment patterns over time.
What is the focus of the main content?
The content systematically tracks specific investments by major Japanese firms—such as Matsushita, Sony, and Kenwood—and their operational evolution within Singapore.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Japanese investment, manufacturing, R&D, automation, Singapore, industrial growth, and foreign direct investment.
How did Japanese companies adapt to the Singaporean labor market?
Many firms implemented training programs, sending local staff to Japan, and relied on the existing pool of skilled engineers and technicians in Singapore.
What role did Jurong play in this investment history?
Jurong is frequently cited as the primary location for these factories, serving as an ideal industrial zone with the necessary infrastructure and free port status to attract international companies.
How has the nature of Japanese investment shifted over the studied period?
The investment shifted from initial light manufacturing to more complex high-tech production, followed by a significant emphasis on R&D centers and regional financial services.
- Quote paper
- Uqbah Iqbal (Author), 2015, The Historical Development of Japanese Investment in Singapore 1979-2007, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/302585
