Waseda University conferred an honorary doctorate on former German President Richard von Weizsaecker on Thursday, citing his contributions to world peace through his political career.
The university gave Weizsaecker, 75, the title Doctor of Laws for his achievements from 1984 to 1994, while serving as president of West Germany and the unified Germany.
After he was honored, Weizsaecker gave a speech titled "The Future of Europe and German-Japanese Relations" as part of the government-backed "Deutschland in Japan 2005/2006" events to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Waseda University has previously conferred honorary doctorates on 94 people, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri and Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.