Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to Japan for an official visit from 31 October to 3 November.
In the Japanese capital Tokyo, the Federal President met Emperor Naruhito and had political talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and members of the Japanese Parliament. Furthermore, a round table with German and Japanese entrepreneurs, an expert panel on current challenges in the field of global security and economic policy, a dialogue with young adults on the importance of voluntary work in our societies, as well as a meeting with filmmakers, took place.
On the third day of his visit, the Federal President travelled to Kyoto where he discussed the climate crisis with students and researchers – 25 years after the signing of the Kyoto Protocol. He also met Japanese and German cultural professionals and toured a factory near Kyoto which draws its electricity exclusively from renewable energy sources and hydrogen.
On 3 November, Federal President Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled on to South Korea.
Overview of the programme:
Monday, 31 October
- Departure from Berlin
Tuesday, 1 November
- Arrival in Tokyo
- Delegation hotel
Discussion with experts about foreign policy - Sensoji Temple
Tour of the Temple - Official residence of the Prime Minister
Welcome with military honours by the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, followed by talks - Joint press conference
- Guest House of the Prime Minister
Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida
Wednesday, 2 November
- Tsutaya Books Daikanyama
Discussion with young adults about volunteer work - Goethe-Institut Tokyo
Discussions with filmmakers - Tokyo Kaikan restaurant
Luncheon with representatives of the Japanese and German business community - Residence of the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives
Welcome by the Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, Hiroyuki Hosoda - Talks with Members of the House of Representatives
- Imperial Palace
Talks with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito and Her Majesty Empress Masako of Japan - Residence of the German Ambassador
Reception hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Thursday, 3 November
- Train journey to Kyoto
- Doshisha University
Keynote address by the Federal President followed by a discussion with experts on climate change - State Guest House
Luncheon hosted by the Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, Takatoshi Nishiwaki - Panasonic fuel cell plant
Tour of the solar installation and the fuel cell production facility supporting a self-sufficient energy supply for the plant - Production building
Tour of the fuel cell production facility