I have now been the Ambassador of Finland in Tokyo for three years. Japan is a wonderful country, with a lot of opportunities and challenges. Japan is a key player in East Asia, a region where the most significant economic growth is taking place. Accordingly, one of the embassy’s tasks is to observe Japan’s development also in the greater context of East Asia. The challenges of the near future are extensive national debt and an aging population, which both bring Japan to the verge of difficult restructuring.
The relations between Finland and Japan are in very good shape. Japan was faced with an unforeseen catastrophe in 2011, and the multileveled support from Finland has only deepened the friendship between our countries. I believe that this friendship will continue, as Japanese culture is greatly popular in Finland, especially among young people. Likewise, the interest of the Japanese people towards Finland has now extended to Finnish lifestyle, cuisine, education and design. The coverage of Finland by the various kinds of the Japanese media, the growing amounts of Japanese tourists, and the number of followers of the embassy’s social media are all indications of the great popularity of Finland in Japan.
Helsinki is the design capital of the world 2012, which is also visible in the embassy’s activities. For several years, we have been actively working to strengthen the foothold of Finnish design in Japan. On this year of the design capital, various events and exhibitions are being held in different parts of Japan, which enable many citizens of Japan to explore the Finnish design culture. Information about Finland-related events can be found in our calendar.
From Finland’s perspective, it is important that those promoting Finnish interests around the world also co-operate. Tokyo gives a prime example of such co-operation. The embassy’s partners in cooperation in Japan’s Team Finland are the Finnish Institute in Japan, Finpro, and the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Tekes. Other Finland-affiliated organizations include five Finnish honorary consulates, the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and several Japan-Finland friendship associations.
The embassy provides consular services, which include passport, visa and notary services, and giving assistance to Finnish citizens in distress. We also provide on our homepage useful information to Finnish and Japanese travelers.
In preparation for possible future crises, it is important, that Finnish citizens residing in Japan report their contact information to the embassy. The contact information form can be accessed through this link. I would also like to recommend them to read our crisis guide.
The embassy provides expertise and information to all who are interested in Finland and in Finnish-Japanese relations. Besides this webpage, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter (only in Japanese). Our other contact information can be found here . You can help us develop by giving us your feedback.
Welcome to the Embassy of Finland!
Kind regards,
Jari Gustafsson
Ambassador of Finland to Japan
