The 19th Japanese–German Forum was held on November 11–13, 2010, bringing 34 participants from both countries together in Berlin to discuss current trends within Japan and Germany and possible avenues for close bilateral cooperation. On Thursday, November 11, Governing mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit held a reception to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Japanese–German Center Berlin, the forum’s German secretariat.
The next day, the forum opened with a keynote address by German State Secretary Wolf–Ruthart Born, who spoke about the close relationship between Japan and Germany and their shared global responsibility as advanced, developed nations. During the forum’s sessions, shared domestic challenges for both countries were discussed in-depth, including shifting political climates, as well as continuing economic hurdles such as the large national debts faced by both countries. Additionally, there was a session devoted to examining each country’s response to the rapid growth of China as a major player on the international stage.
The sessions concluded with an in-depth discussion about the importance of fostering and developing the next generation of leaders in both countries who will be equipped to address the increasingly complex international challenges of the future.
November 11
Reception by the Governing Mayor KLAUS WOWEREIT on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the JDZB and the meeting of the Japanese-German Forum
Dinner hosted by State Secretary Dr. WOLF-RUTHART BORN, Foreign Office
November 12
Keynote Speech: Germany and Japan—Partners with Shared Values in Global Responsibility
State Secretary Dr. WOLF-RUTHART BORN
Session I: Political Situation and Challenges for Domestic Governance in Germany and Japan
NORIYUKI WAKISAKA, Editorial Writer, Asahi Shimbun
ECKART von KLAEDEN, MdB, Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor
Session II: Balancing Economic Growth and National Debt
HIDETO KAKINOKI, Editor in Chief, The Nikkei Weekly
RALPH BRÜGELMANN, Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln
November 13
Session III: Responding to a Rising China
HITOSHI TANAKA, Senior Fellow, Japan Center for International Exchange; Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
MARTIN BRUDERMUELLER, Member of the Board, BASF SE
Session IV: Educating Future Leaders
TAIZO YAKUSHIJI, Research Counsellor, Institute for International Policy Studies (IIPS)
FRANK MASTIAUX, CEO, E.ON Climate and Renewables
GERMAN PARTICIPANTS | |
CHAIRMAN | |
BERNHARD SCHEUBLE | Chairman of the Foundation Council, Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) |
PARTICIPANTS | |
FRIEDERIKE BOSSE | Secretary General, Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) |
MARTIN BRUDERMÜLLER | Member of the Board, BASF |
RALPH BRÜGELMANN | Senior Economist, Cologne Institute for Economic Research |
FLORIAN COULMAS | Director, German Institute for Japanese Studies |
GESINE FOLJANTY–JOST | Vice–President for Research and Junior Scientists, Martin Luther University Halle Wittenberg, Halle |
MARTIN JÄGER | Head of Global External Affairs and Public Policy, Daimler AG |
ECKART VON KLAEDEN | MdB., Minister for State Federal Chancellery |
STEFAN LIEBICH | MP (Die Linke) |
FRANK MASTIAUX | CEO, E.ON Climate and Renewables |
HANNS MAULL | Professor, Trier University; Adviser, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) |
MATTHIAS NASS | Deputy Chief Editor, DIE ZEIT |
CYRILL NUNN | Director General, Asia Policy, Foreign Office |
FRITHJOF SCHMIDT | MdB (Bündis 90/Die Grünen), MP (Bündis 90/Die Grünen) |
JOACHIM SPATZ | MdB (FDP), MP (FDP) |
VOLKER STANZEL | German Ambassador-Designate to Japan |
GÜNTER STOCK | President, Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Science |
JAPANESE PARTICIPANTS | |
CHAIRMAN | |
YUZABURO MOGI | Chairman and CEO, Kikkoman Corporation |
PARTICIPANTS | |
KEIKO CHINO | Columnist, Sankei Shimbun |
NOBUO INABA | Director and Corporate Executive Vice President, Ricoh Co. Ltd. |
HIDETO KAKINOKI | Editor in Chief, Nikkei Weekly |
MINORU KIUCHI | Member, House of Representatives (Group for Upholding the Interest and Life of the Nation) |
KANEICHI MAEHARA | Vice Chairman and President, Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives) |
SHIMPEI MATSUSHITA | Member, House of Councillors (Liberal Democratic Party: LDP) |
HAJIME SASAKI | Executive Advisor, NEC Corporation |
TAKAHIRO SHINYO | Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany |
TSUYOSHI TAKAHASHI | Special Advisor to the President, Japan Foundation |
TOSHIYUKI TAKANO | Senior Advisor, ITOCHU Corporation; Former Japanese Ambassador to Germany |
HITOSHI TANAKA | Senior Fellow, Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE); Chairman of the Institute, Institute for International Strategy (IIS), Japan Research Institute, Ltd.; Former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs |
NORIYUKI WAKISAKA | Editorial Writer, Asahi Shimbun |
TAIZO YAKUSHIJI | Research Counsellor, Institute for International Policy Studies (IIPS) |
TADASHI YAMAMOTO | President, JCIE |
