Newsletter of theJapanese-German Center Berlin(Japanisch-Deutsches Zentrum Berlin)
No. 129, Dezember 2019echo

Digitalization and Trade War – Time for Closer Cooperation
between Japan and Germany
Gerhard Wiesheu, Chairman of the JDZB Foundation Council
The world is in a period of rapid

financed predominantly only withtechnological change. The US andequity - in the US by venture capital

China are setting the pace, whilefirms and in China by the govern-

Germany and Japan lag far behind.

ment. In addition, digital products

If we examine this more closely weare easily copied, so companies

see the stock markets of the devel-

often shy away from the risk of in-

oped economies: more than 85%

vesting and invest too little. In theof listed IT companies are from theUS, venture capital firms often invest

US, about 5.4% from Japan andin a whole range of companies, so

only 2.4% from Germany. China

diversification mitigates the nega-

has three global heavyweights withtive effects of individual intellectual

Huawei, Tencent and Alibaba, and aproperty losses, while in China thenumber of other fast-growing young

government uses subsidies to correcttech companies. These new digital

this “market failure”. However, intechnologies have had a significant

Germany and Japan debt financing

destructive effect on traditional busi-

predominates and the government

ness models as they are universallyhas backed off in recent years.

applicable. Established companies,© Embassy of Japan© Bankhaus Metzler

trade system that has been built up
since the Second World War to theverge of collapse. This in turn creates
uncertainty for companies aroundthe world and increasingly they areholding back new investments. The

including those in the media, retail

The race to lead the future of technol-

and financial sectors, are often now

ogy between the US and China is justa shadow of their former selves andone of many trouble spots between

are struggling to survive. Since 2011,

the previous global power of the US

corporate profits in traditional sec-

and the rising power of the Far East,

tors have been trending sideways

which is about the digital predomi-

Digitalization and Trade War

since 2011, while music has playednance of a market-dominated system

Gerhard Wiesheu

a major role in the technology sector

over a state-dominated system on awith strong gains. The success of the

global scale. According to estimates

US and China is very much related

by international organizations, theto the fact that there are different

US is mindful that China could

Exchange Program

rules for digital products than forsurpass its military expenditures asYoung Leaders Forum4

other products. Digital products are

early as 2035. In other words, the US

often company-specific, so there isis still in the strongest position, but

Events in Autumn 20195

no secondary market for them andcould lose it in the years to come.

Cultural Events in Autumn 2019 6

thus they cannot be deposited as

Therefore, the US is prepared to take

Preview of Events 20207collateral for a bank loan. This meanson high risks in the trade disputethat digital business models can bewith China and even bring the world

Nō and Kyōgen Theater

8

collateral damage of this global trade

CONTENT

1-2

Conference Report
Universal Design

3

2

C O N T I N U E D EF D
R IOTMO RP IAAGL E 1

EDITORIAL
Dear Readers!

conflict is the global upturn thatcooperation between the major eco-threatens to turn into a recession. In

nomic blocs is a necessary prerequi-

an international comparison, Japa-

site to bring climate change undernese industry still seems to be doing

control, which some experts are

well, as economic data signals only

even calling a “race for the survival ofa slight decline in Japanese industry.

humanity”. The EU and Japan should

By contrast, German industry has

also seek to work together for closer

fallen into a deep recession. Interest-

trade integration with the US in order

ingly, in the financial market crisis,

to stop it moving toward isolation

German industry recorded a smaller

and protectionism. In addition, thedecline in industrial output of -23.6%

signaling function of the EU-Japanin April 2009 than the JapanesePartnership Agreement should not-35.7% in February 2009. However,be underestimated. According tothis time German industry seems tocalculations, the exports of bothbe hit harder, especially because of

trading partners could increase by

their strong dependence on the au-

more than € 30 billion in the coming

tomotive and capital goods sectors.

years. The EU and Japan are showing

In addition, significant declines in

the world that even today, based onexports are weighing on the UK anda partnership, modern agreements

Turkey. By contrast, Japan’s industry,

can be made that benefit both par-unaffected by the high level of global

ties. The EU and Japan should also

uncertainty, seems to be investing

try to re-open technologically to themore in digitization and automation

USA and China. It would be worth

as the aging population and short-considering how joint research ef-

age of workers more or less forces

forts are deepened and how the EUthem to do so. According to Tankan’s

and Japan, as a common economic

quarterly short-term economic out-

area, can set their own technology

look, large companies are planning

standards. A good example of this is

to increase their capital spending

the data security agreement undersignificantly in the current fiscal year.

the partnership agreement. At the

However, Japan and Germany havesame time, however, the EU andmajor weaknesses in the “software

Japan should keep an eye on the risk

and Internet platforms” mentionedof excessive bureaucratization. In theabove, but they do have a strengthEU, the corporate sector is alreadyin hardware, as demonstrated by thevoicing its concerns about increas-

world’s leading robot deployment

ing bureaucracy which threatens torates.

significantly reduce incentives for
new investments. Digitalization andSince the end of the Second World

automation in particular offer op-

War, Germany and Japan have been

portunities for the aging societies inclose allies of the US, to whom they

Europe and Japan, if they are tackled

owe their rapid post-war reconstruc-together.

tion. Despite this natural affinity to
the US, both countries should seek

Gerhard Wiesheu is a Partner of B.

mediation to prevent a dangerous

Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG,

escalation of conflict between the

Frankfurt a.M.

two future major powers. Indeed,In his article, Gerhard Wiesheu,
Chairman of the JDZB Foundation
Council, advocates even closer cooperation between Germany andJapan. In times of imminent tradewars and existential global challenges such as climate change, there aremany opportunities for this.
Following on from this, I am pleased
to announce that Mr. Wiesheu wasrecently re-elected as Chairmanof
the JDZB Foundation Council for afurther term of office. I warmly congratulate him. We are grateful for his
support and look forward to further
cooperation in the years to come.
The 25th anniversary of the twinning of Berlin-Tōkyō in 2019 and theforthcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tōkyō 2020 formed thereference points for the symposium
on “Universal Design” in urban planning in Berlin and Tōkyō, which washeld at the JDZB in November and isreported in this issue.
As usual, with the year drawing to anend, you can find a small preview ofour events planned for 2020. I hopethese are of interest and we welcome
you to visit us in the year ahead.
With best wishes for the holidays anda happy and peaceful New Year.
Claudia Schmitz
JDZB Secretary Generaljdzb echo
Published quarterly in March – June – Sept. – Dec.
Publisher:
Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB)
Editor: Michael Niemann
Tel.: +49-30-839 07 186, E-Mail: niemann@jdzb.de
Opinions expressed reflect the author‘s
opinion and not necessarily the opinionof the publisher.
Address of the JDZB:
Saargemünder Str. 2, 14195 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49-30-839 07 0 Fax: +49-30-839 07 220
E-Mail: jdzb@jdzb.de
URL: http://www.jdzb.de
Opening hours of the Library:Tue + Wed 12 noon–6 pm; Thu 12 noon–6 pm

CONFERENCE REPORT

Symposium: Tōkyō and Berlin – Universal Design and Urban Development
11 November 2019, JDZBAndreas Eder-Ramsauer, M.A., Freie Universität Berlin
The symposium “Tōkyō and Berlin – Universal Design and Urban Development”
brought together voices from academia
and design, government and industry to
discuss ways and opportunities for a truly
inclusive, universally usable environment inurban spaces. Establishing equal access forpeople of all ages and abilities to all sectorsof society is an urgent task for society as
a whole – both in Germany and Japan –especially in the context of demographic
change and its associated challenges, andin addition to questions of attitude basedon certain values. In their opening remarks,JDZB Secretary General Claudia Schmitz,
and Director of the Japanese Cultural Institute Cologne Prof. Aizawa Keiichi, whoparticipated in the symposium as a representative of the event’s coordinating partner– the Japan Foundation, drew attention to
the necessity of Universal Design (UD), if
we want to embrace diversity not only as
an abstract concept but also in reality. The
25-year twinning agreement between Berlin
and Tōkyō and the forthcoming Olympic
and Paralympic Games in Tōkyō 2020 provided an opportunity to further promote thesubject of UD, particularly in the context ofaccessibility and inclusion, through opportunities of international exchange.
Two keynote speeches in the first section set
the framework for the UD in Japan and Germany conference theme from an academic
perspective. In his keynote address, thearchitect Dr. Kawauchi Yoshihiko, a leading
scientist and advocate of UD in Japan, madea plea for understanding UD as a continuous process. UD does not know a final goal,
but would always strive for the progressive
improvement of inclusion and equality.
Therefore, it is important to differentiate
between the fluid “design for all” and thestatic “one design for all” in the conceptual
phase of projects. The first approach views
needs as fluid and requiring ongoing revision and adaptation. This results in a socalled “spiral up” development process,which always involves the evaluation of a(predecessor) project and the experienceof those involved with this project. In his
absence, the keynote address of Dr. Wolfgang Sattler from Bauhaus-University wasread to the audience where he emphaticallyclarified the importance of UD as being lessa property of things, but rather a questionof interaction and attitude. In particular, he
reflected upon human behaviors in dealing
with technology.
In the second session, moderated by Professor Pelin Celik, Professor of Industrial
Design at the University of Applied Sciences
Berlin (HTW), the views of the Tōkyō andBerlin’s municipal governments of on theimplementation of UD were presented.
Ingeborg Stude of the coordination office“Barrier-free Building” of the Berlin Senate
Department for Urban Development andHousing emphasized the central role ofcreating a legal framework and the need to
involve stakeholders and disability associations in the various phases of public buildings construction projects. Shino Kazukoof the Tōkyō Metropolitan Government
presented guidelines for the construction of
the Olympic and Paralympic Games venues,
which especially consisted of incorporating
the suggestions of various groups. This included, for example, setting up wheelchair
spaces in various areas of the sports facilities. According to Shino, the city administration of Tōkyō refers to the “spiral up” approach and understands experiences madein the course of the Olympic and Paralympic
Games as lessons for the future. Asada Sunof the Kōtō district administration in Tōkyō
added insights into study walks with various
interest groups, workshops in schools andspecially created UD maps, which provide
people with different needs information
for moving around in public spaces. One
result of all three presentations was that thecontinuous involvement of diverse population groups and awareness raising mustbe essential components of public design.

33

The third session, moderated by thejournalist Dr. Oliver Herwig, presented
innovative projects and business models.
Dr. Kawauchi presented the design ofTōkyō’s Haneda International Airport, inwhich many perspectives and needs were
included according to the requirements ofUD even through to selecting carpet patterns. Gregor Strutz then presented thework of the design agency Design GmbH,of which he is managing director, in Berlin’s
St. Nicholas Church Museum. The aim
here was to connect the aesthetic worldsof people with and without disabilities, forexample by creating exhibits that can betouched. Ushiyama Junko, Senior Engineer
at Hitachi Ltd. Corporation, presented anavigation app that can be individually
adjusted for special needs - from wheelchairusers to pregnant women. Routes can becalculated precisely for different difficulties,
such as the presence of traffic lights for theblind. André Heikenroth explained the“Mobidat” database project, which collects
and provides information on accessibility
in Berlin. Tamino Takero presented theinclusion concept of its company Mirairo
Inc., which sees inclusion as an economic
opportunity in its own work and in advising other companies. Christiane Bausbackfrom N+P Industrial Design GmbH recently
spoke about the necessity of including
individual needs in the implementation of
public transport.
Many lessons could be learned from theintensive discussions. Above all, under the
motto “nothing about us without us”, itshould be noted that it is essential to ensure
people with different needs participate indesign and development processes. As Professor Birgit Weller, Professor of Industrial
Design at HTW noted, UD offers a constant
incentive for improvement and focused extensive participation is the most democratic
form of design at the same time. Last but notleast, all people can benefit from Universal
Design through the creation of multisensory
experiences. The conference provided avariety of insights and tasks for the journey
towards a fairer and more inclusive society.

4

EXCHANGE PROGRAM

14th German-Japanese Young Leaders Forum 2019
Summer School with Alumni Conference “The Future of Globalization – Challenges
and Opportunities”, 6-15 September 2019
Report by Kiyo Dörrer, Business Journalist, Deutsche Welle, Berlin

And that’s exactly where the discussion round“Does this always happen here in Japan?” arelations. And a total of eight hours to pre-hama. The fact that the prototypes and devices

German participant asks me with surprise andpare – with each group to give a 30-minutetested there were often hidden and could notenthusiasm as two otherwise restrained Japa-

presentation, a big call.

be photographed (trade secrets!) naturally

nese colleagues take hold of the microphone

We received help from experts from both

helped with our VIP feeling.

and sing their hearts out – accompanied bycountries with lectures on the history of Japan

Dressed otherwise in casual business attire,the entire group. “Welcome to Japan,” I grin

and Germany, renewable energies and their

one evening did require us to don jackets,back. This is the first time for many here to sing

expansion in Japan, economic structures andhigh heels and ties - for the reception held

Karaoke – or even visit Japan. In my opinion,history of globalization, security policy asat the German Embassy with recently arrived

it’s the best cultural introduction...

well as German-Japanese and international

Ambassador Ina Lepel.

The first day of sightseeing is also a first for

relations. But we quickly realized we learned

Of course, in spite of all the open, serious

many of the locals as well: Tōkyō Skytree

the most through discussions, and we cer-questions, the program also had time for less(highlight: the fearless window cleaner at

tainly discussed a lot. Do we shift into a superserious discussion evenings – about sukiyaki,

450m altitude, very insta-worthy), photo safa-

capitalist system or is there a post-growthsushi, sashimi, and izakaya snacks. And, natu-

ri at the Sensōji (Lowlight: the whale-specialty

economy? What options are there for bringing

rally, local drinks were also tasted at our own

restaurant, less insta-worthy), finishing withJapanese and German cultures closer to each

expense: Calpis, Hoppy, Sake, Sour with green

dinner at a Robata-Yaki restaurant in Asakusa

other? What can we do against the declining

tea and grapefruit.

(highlight: feel like Abe and Trump), along

number of people voting in both countries?

The alumni conference at the end of the Sum-

with the new All-You-Can-Drink concept,

Are we merging into a globalized world

mer School clearly demonstrated that “nomu-

which is also new to many participants.

without nation states or winning separatist

nication” (drinking + communication) has a

In total we are sixteen participants. Including

movements?

long tradition at the Young Leaders Forum andgovernment officials from Germany and Japan,

Between discussions, we had the chance tokeeps alumni in touch with each other. Many

two security experts, three that work in theleave International House. The first companyof the participants from previous Summer

media, one medical doctor and another that

we visited was Fujitsu in Kawasaki to discuss

Schools travelled from Germany to plan theworks in chemistry. Some are still suffering

the challenges of digitization and how to deal

conference and attend the last forum. Several

from jet lag and the effects of the jam-packed

with artificial intelligence. Again, unansweredof the alumni told us it is the interpersonal

sightseeing program, so we gathered onquestions: how to deal with algorithmic bias?

relationships that makes the forum so special.

Sunday morning to sit in the conference room

How to make sure that artificial intelligence

And this applies to participants from our yearof the International House of Japan. Theme:is safe?

as well. The shared WhatsApp group icon

Globalization, Opportunities and Challenges.

Particularly interesting was our visit to Dentsu,

flashes on my screen in the weeks following

Shortly thereafter, the question “Future of

the largest PR company in the world. On

the forum often with photos of reunions:

Capitalism?” was written on the whiteboard

the train trip to their imposing business

whether it’s at the climate strike in Tōkyō, afor our working group. It’s probably one ofheadquarters, we passionately discussed theRhine tour in Dusseldorf or a spontaneous

the biggest, if not the biggest issue of our time

recent reports about bad working conditions

visit to the Berlin Rathaus (city hall). We remainthat we should address. Other questions on

at Dentsu: overtime that drives employees to

in touch. And hopefully, we’ll see each otheroffer: the future of the nation state, the future

their deaths, rigid management structures

again – singing into a microphone and danc-of democracy, the future of German-Japanesethat do not tolerate debates and questions.

ing at Karaoke.

led to later.
TÜV Rheinland also opened its gates for agroup of us including alumni on a Saturday,
with a tour of the test laboratories in Yoko-

EVENTS IN AUTUMN 201955

Symposium “The Roles of Germany and Japanin Global Health III” held on 25 October at theJDZB, in collaboration with the Global HealthCenter (GHC) / Graduate Institute Geneva(IHEID, Geneva), the Institute for Global Health
Policy Research (iGHP) / National Center for
Global Health and Medicine (NCGM, Tōkyō),
the World Health Summit (WHS) and the
Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical
Companies (vfa, Berlin).
The symposium was a satellite event of theWorld Health Summit 2019 and dealt with thequestion of what has been achieved since the
G20 Summit in Ōsaka in June 2019, among
other topics.

Prof. Richard Samuels (Ford International
Professor of Political Science and director of
the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) presented
his latest book “Special Duty – A History of
the Japanese Intelligence Community” at the
JDZB on 9 October.
After the lecture, lively discussions withthe audience were held with Prof. Verena
BLechinger-Talcott (Vice President of the
FU Berlin for International Affairs and Directorof the Graduate School of East Asian Studies
GEAS).
Symposium “LegalTech: Artificial Intelligencein Law and Justice – Opportunities and Risks”
on 4 October, in Tōkyō, in cooperation with
the German-Japanese Lawyers Association(DJJV, Hamburg), the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (Tōkyō Office), the German Science andInnovation House Tōkyō (DWIH), the Federal
Bar Association (Berlin) and Keiō University(Tōkyō).
Photo: Dr. Margaretha Sudhof, State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Justice
and Consumer Protection and the outgoing
President of the DJJV, Dr. Jan Grotheer.

Workshop “Forefront of UV Light Emitting Devices and Future Expectations” on 28-29 August at the JDZB, in cooperation with the Japan
Science and Technology Agency (JST, Tōkyō), the TU Berlin and the
Meijō University (Nagoya).

Lecture by Prof. Watanabe Shino (Sophia University, Tōkyō) and Prof.
KOGA Kei (Nanyang Technological University Singapore) on “Japaneseand Chinese Concepts and Funding for Infrastructure in South-East
Asia – a Comparison” on 5 September at the JDZB.

6CULTURAL EVENTS IN AUTUMN 2019

EVENTS 2020

Conferences by
Focal Areas
Global Responsibility
Conference: Trilateral Cooperation Germany – Japan – Indonesia
C: Federal Foreign Office, Berlin
Date: 1st quarter 2020, in Jakarta
Symposium: The Roles and Responsibilities
of Japan and Germany in a Sustainable
International Order
C: Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Bonn; German
Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin
Date: April 2020, in Tōkyō
Exhibition “Morning Clouds” Higashiyama Kaii – lithographs from the JDZB archive on the 20th
anniversary of the death of one of the most well-known representatives of Nihonga painting(JDZB Foundation Council 1985-94). 28 November until 28 February 2020 at the JDZB. (Photo:“Morning Clouds” by Higashiyama Kaii © v. Bruchhausen/JDZB)

Conference: EU-Japan Relations: Beyond
the Strategic Partnership Agreement
C: European Advanced Research Network(EJARN), Stockholm School of Economics; Freie
Universität Berlin
Date: 5-6 June 2020
Symposium: Perspectives for a EurasianInfrastructure
C: Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales(EHESS), Paris
Date: Juli 2020
German-Japanese Security Dialog, Track 1.5
C: German Federal Foreign Office, Berlin;
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tōkyō; The Japan
Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), Tōkyō
Date: Autumn 2020, in Tōkyō

Silent movie concert “Express 300 miles” (directed by Saegusa Genjiro, Japan 1928) on 14 November
at the JDZB. The internationally renowned silent film specialist Günter A. Buchwald accompanied
the Berlin premiere live and improvised, together with musicians of the Silent Movie Music Company.

Conference: Disarmament and the Role of
the United Nations: German and Japanese
Perspectives
C: Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Berlin
Date: to be confirmed in 2020
Symposium: Global Health IV
C: Global Health Center (GHC), Graduate
Institute of International and Development
Studies, Geneva; National Center for Global
Health and Medicine (NCGM), Tōkyō
Date: to be confirmed in 2020, in Tōkyō

Sustainability and theEnvironment

Opening of the exhibition “SPAGAT – Photographs, Drawings and Installations by Kimbara Akane
and Laure Catugier” on 20 September at the JDZB with performances by Takahashi Marie (Viola)and Yoann Sarrat (Breakdance). The exhibition was on display until 15 November.

German-Japanese Energy Transition Council(GJETC)
C: Wuppertal Institute for Climate, the Environment, Energy Ltd.; Hennicke Consult,
Wuppertal; ECOS Consult, Osnabrück; Institute for Energy Economics Japan, Tōkyō
Date: 18-19 March 2020

77

PREVIEW OF EVENTS 2020

Symposium: Bioeconomics
C: JSPS-Club, Bonn
Date: 15-16 May 2020
Conference: Climate-friendly Mobility
C: Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft (IW),Cologne; Fujitsu Research Institute, Tōkyō
Date: May 2020

Demographic Change
Symposium: Demography and Health
C: Federal Ministry for Health, Berlin; Ministryof Health, Labor and Welfare, Tōkyō
Date: 6-7 February 2020
Symposium: Aging and Care in German andJapanese Communities
C: German Institute for Japanese Studies (DIJ),
Tōkyō; University of Dortmund; Mitsubishi
Research Institute, Tōkyō
Date: 17-19 March 2020, in Tōkyō
Symposium: Demographic Change in Germany and Japan
C: Federal Ministry for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Berlin; Ministry of
Health, Labour and Welfare, Tōkyō
Date: May 2020, in Tōkyō

Conference: Shaping Institutional Profiles
in Research, Teaching and Community
Engagement
C: German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Bonn;Japan Committee of Universities for International Exchange (JACUIE), Tōkyō
Date: 22-23 June 2020
Symposium: Sports Law
C: German-Japanese Lawyers Association,
Hamburg
Date: To be confirmed in 2020, in Munich
Conference: Attractive for Immigrants? Japan,
Germany and France – A Comparative Study
C: Duisburg-Essen University
Date: To be confirmed in 2020

Culture and Change
Film Screening + Expert Talk: The Hokkaido
Universe
C: German Archaeological Institute (DAI), Berlin; Jomon World Heritage Promotion Office;Hokkaidō Government, Sapporo
Date: 13 February 2020
German-Japanese Architects’ Dialog
C: Association of German Architects, Berlin;
Techncal University Berlin
Date: To be confirmed in 2020

Digital Transformation
Symposium: The Future of Work and Digitalization
C: Shinshū University, Nagano; Fraunhofer
Institute for Applied Information Technology(FIT), Sankt Augustin
Date: 29 October 2020
Symposium: Research and Innovation Cooperation with China
C: Mercator Institute for China Studies, Berlin
Date: October 2020

Panel Discussion: The Current Transnational
Environmental Movement among Young People
C: Aoyama Gakuin University, Tōkyō
Date: Beginning of March 2020
Panel Discussion: Olympia 2020. The Impact of Major Sporting Events on Society,
Politics and Business
C: Deutsches Institut für Japanstudien, Tōkyō
Date: 2 April 2020

New Year’s Concert with Ania Filochowska(violin), Satō Haruma (violoncello) and
Hisaue Wataru (piano)
Date: 16 January 2020, 7 pm
Concert with Contemporary Compositions
with Maurizion Barbetti (viola) and Inoue
Satoko (piano)
Date: 27 November 2020, 7 pm

Lecture“Kabuki and its Influence in Europe” by
Prof. Hasebe Hiroshi (Tokyo University of
Arts)
Date: April 2020

OthersJDZB Open House
Date: 13 June 2020, from 2 pm

Japanese courses
New classes starton 20 January 2020!
Registration on 18 Januaryfrom 2 pm to 4 pm at the JDZB!

Special Project
29th Japanese-German Forum
C: Japan Center for International Exchange, Tōkyō
Date: Autumn 2020

Cultural Events
Exhibition

State, Economy, GovernanceConcert“Morning Clouds” Higashiyama Kaii.
Lithographs of Nihonga (neo-traditional
Japanese painting) from the archives of theJDZB commemorating the 20th year of deathof the artist
On display: 28 Nov. 2019 until 28 Feb. 2020
“Lost in Transformation”
Matsubara Katsuhiko and Kyle Egret
Opening: 13 March 2020, 7 pm
Duration: 16 March until 19 June 2020

Exchange Programs- Junior Experts Exchange Program- German-Japanese Young Leaders Forum- Youth Group Leaders Exchange Program- Study Program for Youth Work Specialists- Exchange Program for Young Em­ployees- JDZB ScienceYouth Program
For details of the programs, please refer to:
http://www.jdzb.de --> Exchange Programs
Opening hours of exhibitions
Monday to Thursday 10 am to 5 pm, Friday
10 am to 3.30 pm
Registration for the cultural events
opens close to the date
C: = in cooperation with
Venue: JDZB, if not stated other­wise
For more information please refer to:
http://www.jdzb.de --> Activities
For information on JDZB lan­guage
courses please refer to:
http://www.jdzb.de--> Japanese Courses

22

8JAPANESE NŌ AND KYŌGEN THEATER ON 3 SEPTEMBER 2019 AT THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC

(1)

(3)

© Jens Liebchen(2)© Akihiko Iwasa© Nakamoto Hiroyo

A Berlin audience had the rare opportunity to experience a performance of Nō Theater by real masters thanks to the initiative and contacts of the JDZB. The Tōkyō
Ensemble Umewaka Kennōkai performed three classical pieces on the evening, each with its own special atmosphere reflected in costumes and movements of thecharacters. The main cast members of the ensemble are from the Umewaka family, the Waki supporting actors and Kyōgen interlude performers. The Umewaka
family, which manages the ensemble and the associated foundation, is one of Japan‘s oldest acting dynasties.

umeboshi JRS11673 © Joanne Rathe Strohmeyer(1) “Shōjō – Midare: Sō Nō mai” (The Spirit of Rice Wine): The first piece revolves around the legendary character in Nō Theater Shōjō, the god of rice wine, in which
many legends are interwoven. In this story, Shōjō gives a faithful farmer a jug of rice wine that never empties. The god is represented by two co-acting actors, whoalways wear a red wig and the mask typical for the character with a laughing mouth and hair hanging across the forehead.
© Joanne Rathe Strohmeyer(2) “Kaminari” (The Thunder God): The second piece is a Kyogen, a farce, and tells an episode about the god of thunder falling from the heavens and injuring his
hip as he falls. A young healer finds him and treats him with acupuncture. In contrast to the serious pieces, the movements in the Kyōgen are much more dynamic,
but the music is more restrained.
(3) “Koi Nō Omoni” (The Last of Love): The third piece is the dramatic highlight of the evening. It tells the story about the unrequited love of the old gardener, Shoji,
to an elegant lady-in-waiting, played by Umewaka Norika, one of about 200 Nō actresses. The main actor wears the most impressive robe of the evening after hehas transformed into his spirit. Several layers of golden, white and black brocades make the viewer think of a snowy mountain.
This was a guest performance held of a European Tour 2019 (Zurich – Basel – Cologne – Berlin) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan
Cultural Institute Cologne (JKI) and 25 years of Berlin-Tōkyō sister city partnership. An event of the Berliner Festspiele/Musikfest Berlin and The Japan Foundation/JKI
in cooperation with the JDZB. (Text: Felicitas Blanck, cultural journalist, Berlin; abridged text, for the original text please see www.jdzb.de. Photos © Adam Janisch)© W. Skowron

On the occasion of the guest performance of Nō theater, Dr. Annegret Bergmann gave a lecture on “Nō – Fascination of Minimalism” on 22 Augustat the JDZB, where she presented the history and the history of reception in Europe of this traditional and lively theater art. Heinz-Dieter Reese ofSumie © KUNIYOSHI Tokio2015 Jorge Vismara
the Japanese Cultural Institute Cologne presented anKANEKO
entertaining
introduction in the South Foyer of the Philharmonic just before ©theperformance.