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On February 4, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Dr. Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
Following the salute and guard of honor ceremony, the two leaders held a summit meeting and a joint press conference afterwards.
 
The leaders then received a courtesy call from members of the Japanese and German business community.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address at the courtesy call,
 
“I would like to thank the distinguished members of the Japanese and German business community for gathering today. I wholeheartedly welcome those of you from Germany.
 
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and the European Union (EU) entered into force three days ago. Federal Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Japan at this opportune time sends out a strong message that Japan and Germany will lead this new economic zone. I hope you will make use of the EPA to further expand the business exchanges you have fostered thus far, ranging from food to manufacturing industries and from large to local, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Government of Japan will support this by leveraging relevant organizations to the greatest extent, including the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
 
At the summit meeting just held, Federal Chancellor Merkel and I shared the view on strengthening collaboration between Germany, which advances Industry 4.0, and Japan, which advances Society 5.0.
 
Japan and Germany have a tradition of attaching importance to primarily manufacturing as well as medium-sized and small-scale enterprises. We will lead the creation of a prosperous and clean future society by integrating eco-towns and state-of-the-art technologies, such as autonomous driving, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT). This will also be a key topic at the G20 Osaka Summit. 
 
From this perspective, we have in attendance today distinguished members who have contributed to Japan-Germany economic exchanges. I am a proponent of creating a society in which all women shine, as Federal Chancellor Merkel is exemplifying herself in Germany. I am pleased that we are joined by women corporate executives today. I hope to make today’s opportunity a major step forward for further deepening economic cooperation between Japan and Germany.”