"The more we can see growth in our own country and in other countries, the better it is for everyone. So it's not a zero-sum game. It's a plus-sum game," Tan told reporters at the end of a nine-day state visit to Japan.

This is why the two countries have been pursuing economic partnerships with other countries - including the Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA) which is undergoing its third review to make it more open and liberal.

Meanwhile, he also urged Japanese companies to use Singapore as a hub to expand into Southeast Asia, especially with the 10-nation bloc establishing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

"Japan is a very strong economic partner and it will benefit ASEAN to work very closely with it. Japan companies have technology, knowledge and expertise which will beenfit all the ASEAN countries," Tan said, stressing the fundamental nature of Japan-ASEAN ties.

During his state visit to Japan, he had a glimpse of Japan's "practical technology" innovations in robots and the Internet of Things that could be put to use in everyday lives.

He also recalled the "very comfortable ride" on the Japanese shinkansen bullet train, which he took from and to Tokyo on his visits to Kyoto and Miyagi.

He said the shinkansen is well-known to be safe, reliable and efficient, and praised its punctuality as its "main selling point". Tan welcomed Japan, as well as other countries, to put in competitive bids for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur high-speed rail project when an international tender is called.

Tan was also impressed by how Japan manages to tap on technology to promote the sense of inclusivity, including helping the elderly and those with physical disabilities to become more mobile.

"We hope that we'll not only add years to your lives, but to add life to your years so that no matter how old you are you can still make a contribution," he said, adding that this is one area Singapore can look towards Japan. "The point is not to look at ageing as a liability, but an asset and an opportunity."

Japan, too, is looking towards Singapore, Tan said, and one such area is Singapore's experience in introducing integrated resorts and casinos.

Japan's Diet is undergoing a similar debate at this moment, and Tan noted that there was much interest among Japanese parliamentarians in what Singapore has done to "balance the economic benefits with social issues which could arise."

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