In the current turbulent world we live in, where democracy is challenged both domestically and through external forces, where civic participation is threatened, where human rights are tested and peace is outright endangered, it is more important than ever that we work together to further the ideals of peace, freedom, and justice– all of which are the basic principles underlying the work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation.
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) was established in 1955 and took on the name of the first German Federal Chancellor, Konrad Adenauer, in 1964. The foundation opened its Japan office in 2011 with not only the Country Programme Japan under its belt but also the regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS). Country Programme Japan works to foster stronger German-Japanese/European-Japanese relations, while SOPAS focuses on the Asian region as a whole, providing important findings to the debate and reform of economic and governance models in the region.
With Security, Sustainable Growth and Society 5.0 as our three areas of focus, we act as a bridge between Germany/Europe and Asia, providing a direct connection between policymakers and think tanks from both regions. We look forward to collaborating with organisations in Japan and Asia that are interested in achieving these aims together with us, to help drive regional and global prosperity.
Rabea Bauer
Country Representative Japan/ Regional Economic Programme Asia (SOPAS) Director
The Foundation was established in 1955 as ‘Society for Christian-Democratic Civic Education’.
Our 100+ offices abroad are in charge of projects in more than 120 countries.
While the concept of a ‘political foundation’ is uniquely German and we are funded through the German parliament, we are a legally separate and independent entity from any government affiliation.
The Foundation took on the name of the first Federal Chancellor of Germany and the co-founder of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967) in 1964.
Headquartered in both Sankt Augustin near Bonn and Berlin, over 600 staff members are based in Germany alone, with former Chancellor Angela Merkel currently still serving as a board member of the organisation.
Country Programme Japan
Regional Economic Programme Asia
On November 16, the Japan Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in cooperation with Minoru Kiuchi, Member of the House of Representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) / Secretary-General of the Japan-German Parliamentary Friendship League, held the second party dialogue between the Christian Democratic/Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the LDP in the National Diet of Japan.
On December 16, Japan revised the three key defense documents, including the National Security Strategy. Despite the deteriorating security environment, Japan has long maintained an exclusively defense-oriented policy. This paper analyzes the concept and the constraints of the “minimum extent necessary” of Japan’s security policy.
