"We cannot forget, however, that during the last world war which preceded this period, there were people in your country who lost their precious lives or suffered various hardships," the emperor said at a dinner hosted by Singapore President Sellapan Rama Nathan.

Singapore fell to Japanese forces in 1942 and suffered heavily during the three-year occupation where as many as 50,000 ethnic Chinese men were believed massacred.

The emperor said he hoped his visit, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two nations, would further strengthen bilateral ties.

"It is my sincere hope that this visit of ours will further deepen mutual understanding and will make the bonds of friendship and cooperation even stronger between the people of Singapore and Japan," the emperor said.

Nathan in his speech made no mention of Tokyo's wartime atrocities but thanked Japanese companies for having played a key role in Singapore's economic development since diplomatic ties were established.

"Bilateral economic cooperation between Singapore and Japan has broadened over the years," Nathan said.

"This has been most tangibly demonstrated in the form of your country's contributions towards our economic development," he said.

The two nations signed a free trade pact in 2002 and more than 2200 Japanese firms have set up

operations in Singapore, investing S$37.6 billion (US$23.6 billion) in the city-state.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Singapore Thursday for a three-day state visit, the first leg of a Southeast Asian tour that will also take them to Malaysia and Thailand.

The couple will leave for Malaysia on Saturday to visit the northern state of Perak. It will be their second visit to the country since the emperor ascended the throne in 1989.

They will then travel to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to participate in events marking the 60th anniversary of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign, along with royals from Asian and European countries, on June 12-13.

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