From October 30 to November 1, Dr. Carsten Linnemann, Secretary General of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), and Mr. Philipp Birkenmeier, Federal Deputy Managing Director of the CDU and Head of the Policy and Program Department, visited Japan to exchange views with Japanese parliamentarians and government officials. 

During their visit to Tokyo, they had an opportunity to meet with Hon. Hiroshi Moriyama, Chairperson of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), to discuss the role of political parties in the current international situation and cooperation between Japan and Germany. They also exchanged views on a wide range of social policy topics through briefings on social security, demographics, and pension systems. 

In addition, Dr. Linnemann confirmed the need to strengthen Japan-Germany relations in meetings with Hon. Toshiaki Endo, Chairperson of the Japan-Germany Parliamentary Friendship League, Hon. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hon. Shintaro Ito, Minister of the Environment, Hon. Kiyoto Tsuji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Hon. Kenta Izumi, President of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP).