Event Report
Party Dialogue between the Christian Democratic/ Social Union and theLiberal Democratic Party
Wednesday, 16 November 2022, 10:30 – 11:50

On November 16, the Japan Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, incooperation with Minoru Kiuchi, Member of the House of Representatives of theLiberal Democratic Party (LDP) / Secretary-General of the Japan-German
Parliamentary Friendship League, held the second party dialogue between theChristian Democratic/Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the LDP in the National Diet ofJapan. The CDU/CSU members of the German Bundestag and the LDP members ofthe National Diet discussed the following topics.
【 Russian Aggression against Ukraine and Taiwan issue/German-Japanese
Security Cooperation】
The Japanese side underlined the importance of the bilateral security
cooperation between Germany and Japan, stressing that what happened to
Ukraine should not happen in the Indo-Pacific region, nor should it be allowed tospill over to the Taiwan Strait. They also noted that it is important to be united inprotecting rules and order against hegemonial demands. A growing concern
about declining support to Ukraine or growing fatigue towards the Russian
aggression was raised.
In response to this, the German side stated that Europe is looking to Asia
regardless of their strong ties with the U.S., and that the dispatch of the frigate
Bayern to the Indo-Pacific and the joint air fighter drills are examples of the
new global defense perspective of Germany. In addition, the parliamentarians
expressed their gratitude to Japan for the country’s strong support to Ukraine
and its commitment to sanctions. Support to Ukraine will be continued. In
addition, there is a need for increased pressure (to keep supporting Ukraine) on
the reluctant German government by the parliament. Touching upon recent
hikes of energy prices, the German MPs expressed a strong will to continue
efforts to support Ukraine and to prevent Putin from winning this war. Hence,

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Association Japan

T +81 3 6426 5041

Sanno Park Tower 25F
2-11-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku,
100-6125 Tokyo

F +81 3 6426 5047

KAS-Tokyo@kas.dehttps://linktr.ee/KASJapanbuilding a relationship with Russia after the conflict will be a big challenge foralmost any EU country.
Also, the Japanese side appreciated the recent German military engagement inthe Indo-Pacific region and in Japan and looks forward to joint exercises with theSDF next year and beyond. It is of huge significance that the NATO members
begins to show military presence in the region. Interpreted in terms of Taiwan,
Germany will not remain silent in case of conflicts. For Japan, it is necessary tostrengthen security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with the U.S., Australia,India, and Europe.
【China and Economic Security】
The discussion shifted to China and focused on economic security. Both sides
shared worries about fragile semiconductor supply chains. Likeminded statesneed to cooperate to prevent China from acting outside international and agreednorms. The Japanese side pointed out that China has already practiced economic
coercion for a decade by banning export of rare earths to Japan from the Senkaku
Islands. So early on, Japan saw the necessity for decoupling. As a result, Japan
implemented the Economic Security Act in 2022.
The German MPs noted their country’s efforts to reduce dependence on raw
materials from China. Hence, bilateral cooperation between Germany andJapan as trade partners through the EU-Japan EPA needs to ensure that theWTO and other international orders are not neglected by China. Given therecent investment in a terminal of the Hamburg Port by a Chinese COSCO,
Germany needs to better protect its critical infrastructure and assets.
Both sides reiterated the necessety to continue the dialogue on an annual basis andinstitutionalize the meetings.

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Association Japan

T +81 3 6426 5041

Sanno Park Tower 25F
2-11-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku,
100-6125 Tokyo

F +81 3 6426 5047

KAS-Tokyo@kas.dehttps://linktr.ee/KASJapan