Visit to Japan

Topic: Report

5 February 2018

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Japan from 5 to 7 February 2018. During this visit, the Federal President and Ms Büdenbender were received by the imperial couple and Prime Minister Abe. The programme also includes the inauguration of a graffiti exhibition that takes its inspiration from the East Side Gallery in Berlin and a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on the occasion of the visit to Japan

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Japan from 5 to 7 February 2018.

During this visit, the Federal President and Ms Büdenbender were received by the imperial couple and Prime Minister Abe. The programme also included the inauguration of a graffiti exhibition that takes its inspiration from the East Side Gallery in Berlin and a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo.

Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender then travelled on to the Republic of Korea, where they stayed from 7 to 11 February.

Overview of the programme:

Monday, 5 February 2018

  • Evening

    Flight to Tokyo, Japan

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

  • Around noon

    Arrival in Tokyo

  • Tour of the imperial gardens
  • official residence of the Prime Minister
    Welcome with military honours
    followed by talks with Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
  • Joint press conference
  • Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

  • Delegation hotel
    Breakfast with figures from politics and civil society
  • Residence at the Imperial Palace
    Welcome by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
    followed by talks
  • German Embassy
    Inauguration of a wall artwork
  • Joint luncheon with Japanese students
  • Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan
    Address by the Federal President
    followed by discussion
  • Afternoon

    Flight to Seoul, Republic of Korea