Navigation and service

Official visit to Japan

Topic: Report

18 November 2016

The Federal President Joachim Gauck and Daniela Schadt made an official visit to Japan from 13 to 18 November. During his stay in the capital, Tokyo, the Federal President had political talks, including with Prime Minister Abe. These discussions focussed on foreign and European policy issues as well as current political and economic challenges, particularly in East Asia. The trip ended in the city of Nagasaki, where his engagements included a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum.

Federal President Joachim Gauck and Daniela Schadt meet Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on the occasion of the official visit to Japan

Federal President Joachim Gauck and Daniela Schadt made an official visit to Japan from 13 to 18 November.

During his stay in the capital, Tokyo, the Federal President met Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito. He also had political talks, including with Prime Minister Abe. These discussions focussed on foreign and European policy issues as well as current political and economic challenges, particularly in East Asia. The Federal President gave a speech at Waseda University in Tokyo. While in the capital, he also met business representatives and Japanese intellectuals.

In the old imperial city Kyoto, the programme was concentrated on history, art, culture and science. At Kyoto University, the Federal President presented the Philipp Franz von Siebold Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and conversed with students.

The trip ended in the city of Nagasaki, where Federal President Joachim Gauck’s engagements included a visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park.

Overview of the programme:

Sunday, 13 November 2016

  • Flight to Tokyo

Monday, 14 November 2016

  • Arrival in Tokyo
  • Kantei (seat of the Prime Minister)
    Welcome with military honours
    Thereafter
    Talks with Shinzō Abe, Prime Minister of Japan
  • Joint press conference
  • Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

  • National Diet of Japan
    Talks with Tadamori Oshima, Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • Imperial Palace
    Talks with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko
  • Tokyo Metropolitan Government
    Talks with Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture
  • delegation hotel
    Meeting with academics and journalists to discuss relations between Japan, China and Korea
  • Akasaka Palace
    Talks with Crown Prince Naruhito
  • Residence of the German Ambassador
    Meeting with winners of the Watashi no Doitsu painting competition for school pupils
  • Reception

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

  • Waseda University
    Welcome by Kaoru Kamata, President of Waseda University
  • Speech by the Federal President to students
  • delegation hotel
    Lunch with business people to discuss the impact of the Digital Revolution on society
  • Travel to Kyoto by Shinkansen
  • Kyoto
    Visit to Ginkaku ji Temple. Tour and talks with the abbot
  • State Guest House, Kyoto
    Dinner hosted by Daisaku Kadokawa, Mayor of Kyoto

Thursday, 17 November 2016

  • Kyoto University
    Welcome by Juichi Yamagiwa, President of Kyoto University
    Thereafter
    Discussion with students and doctoral candidates
  • Award ceremony for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation’s Philipp Franz von Siebold Prize
  • Villa Kamogawa (seat of the Goethe-Institut)
    Meeting with German fellows and artists

Friday, 18 November 2016

  • Flight to Nagasaki
  • Nagasaki
    Visit to the Twenty Six Martyrs Museum
  • Visit to Urakami Cathedral. Talks with Archbishop Mitsuaki Takami
  • Peace Park
    Wreath-laying ceremony at the Peace Memorial
  • Tour of the Atomic Bomb Museum and visit to the memorial hall for Japanese and foreign victims of the atomic bomb
  • Atomic Bomb Museum
    Talks with an atomic bomb survivor; Hōdō Nakamura, Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture; and Tomihisa Taue, Mayor of Nagasaki
    Thereafter
    Return flight to Berlin

Further information

News