Call for Applications

17th German-Japanese Young Leaders Forum 2026

“(In)Security”

How Can Young Leaders Contribute to Stability in Uncertain Times?

September 11 (Fri) – September 20 (Sun), 2026

Berlin

Application deadline: May 15, 2026

Objectives

Young prospective leaders from various fields are invited by the JDZB to participate in a ten-day program to address politically and socially relevant issues, deepen mutual understanding through collaboration, and build lasting relationships among participants and beyond.
The program seeks to establish sustainable networks that further strengthen cooperation between Germany and Japan, thereby contributing to the international community.
 

Applicant Eligibility

Each year, numerous private corporations and public institutions are invited to recommend promising young professionals for the program. Applicants should be between 25 and 35 years of age and must be fluent in English.
From among the recommended candidates, 16 outstanding young professionals - eight from Germany and eight from Japan - are carefully selected, ensuring a high level of professional diversity within the group.
 

Topic and Program

The German-Japanese Young Leaders Forum 2026 will address the theme of “(In)Security.” The international order is facing increasing strain, with security challenges arising across multiple dimensions. In response to shared geopolitical pressures, Germany and Japan are strengthening their security and defence cooperation to uphold a rules-based international order. At the same time, cyberattacks pose serious threats, supply chains are becoming more fragile, and climate change is intensifying risks ranging from resource scarcity to extreme weather events. As ageing societies, both countries are also facing growing pressures on their social security systems.
This forum invites participants to explore security from a broad, multidimensional perspective. The ability of societies to cope with uncertainty and maintain confidence in the future depends on a wide range of factors beyond traditional notions of security, including energy and supply security, domestic stability, social welfare systems, and the psychological impact of living in uncertain times.
Against this backdrop, the forum will examine how young leaders can contribute to addressing security challenges across these diverse areas.
Distinguished experts from diverse fields will be invited to share their perspectives and engage in discussions with participants. Developments in Germany, Europe, and Japan will be examined within a global context, and innovative approaches to problem-solving will be explored, particularly through discussions in mixed working groups. The program also includes visits to selected institutions in Berlin. During an alumni conference at the end of the program, current participants will have the opportunity to connect with former participants from previous years.
 

Funding and Expenditure

The German-Japanese Young Leaders Forum is planned and implemented by the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB). It is funded by Daido Life Insurance Company and Mori Manufacturing Research and Technology Foundation.

While the program covers essential expenses such as travel, accommodation, and meals, additional financial support from applicants’ affiliated organizations is greatly appreciated.

Application

All applicants are required to submit an application form, a curriculum vitae, and a letter of recommendation from their current employer. All documents must be written in English. 

Please send your complete application by email to:

Kokoro Kuroiwa 
Project Officer 
Tel: +49 (0)30 839 07 151 
Email: YLF@jdzb.de

Dates

The ten-day program will take place from September 11 (Fri) to September 20 (Sun), 2026, in Berlin. It consists of two parts, namely a summer school and an alumni conference.

Application deadline: May 15, 2026