Visit to Japan by President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Johannes Rau
(Outline and Preliminary Evaluation)
July 5, 2002
President of the Federal Republic of Germany Johannes Rau paid an official working visit to Japan from 30 June to 4 July. The outline and preliminary evaluation are as follows.
1. Outline
(1) Meetings, etc. with Prime Minister Koizumi (2 July)
Views were exchanged over an hour and a half, including at a luncheon with Prime Minister Koizumi. The main points of the meeting are as follows.
a. Achievements by President Rau for Friendly Japan-Germany Relations
Prime Minister Koizumi thanked President Rau, a Japanophile, for his friendliness to the local Japanese community while he was Prime Minister of Nordrhein-Westfalen state. In response, President Rau fondly recollected his visit to Japan in 1984 and of welcoming Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan.
b. "Deutschland in Japan"
In response to Prime Minister Rau's introduction of "Deutschland in Japan", series of events concerning Germany to be held in 2005/2006 in Japan, Prime Minister Koizumi responded that Japan would certainly cooperate in this matter.
c. 2006 FIFA World Cup
President Rau praised the warm acceptance that Japan and the Republic of Korea showed as host nations for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. In addition, President Rau even jokingly said, "it was so good that I do not have confidence that Germany will be able to become as nice a host country at the next World Cup."
(2) Viewing the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (30 June)
Arriving on 30 June, President Rau attended the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final in Yokohama and watched the match from the Royal box with Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan, Prime Minister Koizumi, President of the Republic of Korea Kim Dae-jung and others. (Even though Germany placed second, President Rau commented, "this is a record that will lead to the winning of the next FIFA World Cup.") (Note: Since Germany is the host nation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, in the context of taking over host nation duties, President Rau's attendance was confirmed from an early time; however, as Germany advanced toward the final, attendance by Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Gerhard Schroder, Federal Minister of the Interior (SPD) Otto Schily, Prime Minister of Bavaria Edmund Stoiber (who is the opposition party candidate for Chancellor in the all-German election to the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) to be held in September) were decided on very short notice. In addition, Chancellor Schroder flew to Japan with Prime Minister Koizumi in a Japanese Government airplane from Canada where the G8 Summit was being held and the flight drew public attention as "hitchhike diplomacy.")
(3) Other Itinerary
On 1 July, President Rau made a State call on Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan and attended a Court Luncheon hosted by Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan. While in Tokyo, President Rau attended a reception aboard German naval warships on a goodwill visit in harbor in Tokyo Bay, the 50th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Japan-German Society (attended by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino), a conference held by members of the German business community related to Asia, a seminar held by the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JGCB), and others. In addition, on 3 July, President Rau visited Kyoto where he saw temples and shrines, the Kansai Science City (Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd. Chuo Research Center) and others. After a day in Kyoto, he returned to Germany on 4 July.
2. Preliminary Evaluation
(1) Developing a Personal Relationship at High Levels with the German Head of State
President Rau, as Head of State accumulates honor and credence from a wide range of the German public, surpassing the differences of political parties. This visit was an enormous accomplishment for advancing Japan-German relations because Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan and Prime Minister Koizumi were able to secure significant time, exchanging views, and developing personal relationships with President Rau by coming in touch with each other's personality.
(2) Advancing Preparations for "Deutschland in Japan"
On "Deutschland in Japan" to be implemented in 2005/2006 in Japan by Germany, President Rau officially requested cooperation from the Japanese Government. Moreover, President Rau announced in public (in a speech at the Deutscher Industrie-und Handelskammertag (DIHT) German Chamber of Industry and Commerce) that he would personally participate in this event as honorary president. In the same manner as "Japan in Deutschland" implemented by Japan with great popularity in 1999/2000, "Deutschland in Japan" is a great opportunity to advance Japan-German relations. Preparations for this event need to be accelerated.
(3) Success of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and Others
Attendance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final by President Rau and viewing the match together with Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan, Prime Minister Koizumi, President of the Republic of Korea Kim Dae-jung and others not only signifies favorable Japan-German relations, but also was a brilliant addition to the glorious finish of the joint hosting by the ROK and Japan that had become a national event and left an impression of the definite success of 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan (many Germans watched the final via satellite).
(4) Japan-German Exchange on Various Levels
In addition, President Rau's attendance to the 50th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony of the Japan-German Society, the 40th Anniversary Ceremony of the establishment of the German Chamber of Commence and Industry in Japan and other meetings not only showed Germany's concern for its relationship with the Government of Japan, but also for the importance of private-level exchanges. Large momentum was created for the development of bilateral relations at various levels in the future.
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