Technical Visits Japan and Finland have maintained diplomatic relations for over 100 years. Since Finland became the first Nordic country to sign a cultural agreement with Japan in 1978, exchanges between the two countries have increased dramatically.

With the launch of direct flights between Tokyo and Helsinki by Finnair in 1983, Finland became geographically the closest European country to Japan.

During President Niinistö’s visit to Japan in 2016, a joint statement on a strategic partnership between Japan and Finland as a gateway to Asia and Europe was issued, and in 2022, during Prime Minister Marin’s visit to Japan, the Japan-Finland Working Holiday Agreement was also signed.

The relationship between the two countries extends beyond economic and trade spheres to include cultural, academic, technological, environmental, and defense cooperation, expanding the scope of exchanges.

From visits by high-ranking officials to exchanges with local governments and youth groups, exchanges are expanding at all levels between the two countries, and we have facilitated numerous inspection tours from Japan.

A topic that has been attracting attention in recent years is “work styles,” and we are showing various Japanese companies and organizations how Finland approaches work-life balance.