{"id":77264,"date":"2025-09-03T00:06:58","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T00:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/?p=77264"},"modified":"2025-09-17T03:46:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T03:46:52","slug":"japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Japan and Finland are marking a period of unprecedented closeness in their bilateral relationship. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine<\/em>, Japanese Ambassador to Finland Takashi Okada reflects on the state of ties, areas of dynamic growth, and the shared values underpinning cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Takashi Okada<\/strong>, Japanese Ambassador to Finland | \u00a9 Japanese Embassy<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bridges<\/strong>: The Finland\u2013Japan relationship continues to grow in depth and scope. How would you describe the current state of bilateral relations, and what areas are seeing the most dynamic engagement today?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Takashi Okada<\/strong>: Over more than 100 years, Japan and Finland have enjoyed a very friendly and cordial relationship\u2026 our bilateral relationship has never been closer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, our cooperation has expanded rapidly\u2014from high-level political dialogue to advanced technology, defense, security, and business. I would list two areas: one is advanced technology and related economic areas; the other is defense and security\u2026 both countries are highly developed, industrialized economies with world-class technology and R&D capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland is often recognized for its innovation, sustainability, and high quality of life. From your perspective, what makes Finland a unique and reliable partner for Japan?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Working with Finland, with which we share fundamental values, is very easy. We can trust Finland\u2026 Japanese and Finnish people are not eloquent about their achievements, but when they promise, they deliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s strengths in research and its vibrant startup ecosystem are a natural match for Japan\u2019s technological know-how, capital, and access to Asian markets. Together, we have a powerful platform for innovation-driven collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finland\u2019s strengths in research and its vibrant startup ecosystem are a natural match for Japan\u2019s technological know-how, capital, and access to Asian markets. Together, we have a powerful platform for innovation-driven collaboration.<\/p>Takashi Okada<\/strong>, Japanese Ambassador to Finland<\/mark><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last year marked the 105th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan. Reflecting on this milestone, what moments or achievements stand out as especially meaningful?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 2016 joint statement truly raised the level of the bilateral relationship to a higher stage\u2026 for the first time defined this relationship as a strategic partnership based on shared values and interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It laid the groundwork for the 2025 joint statement issued by President Stubb and Prime Minister Ishiba last June. The 2025 statement puts strong emphasis on cooperation in defense and security, and it will guide our future engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there any emerging sectors or collaborative initiatives you believe hold particular promise for the future of Finland\u2013Japan cooperation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is cooperation between Japan\u2019s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Finnish startup IQM on quantum computing, and ongoing cooperation between Japan\u2019s RIKEN Center for Computational Science and Finland\u2019s IT Center for Science, which runs one of Europe\u2019s fastest supercomputers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In defense, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force is procuring Finnish armored modular vehicles from Patria. These eight-by-eight vehicles will be license-produced by a Japanese company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re also working together on sustainable mobility. Toyota and the city of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4 are running a social implementation experiment to transform public transportation into a hydrogen-based system, using hydrogen produced from Finland\u2019s excess wind power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Japan and Finland navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their partnership stands as a model of how shared values, mutual trust, and complementary strengths can translate into concrete achievements.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finally, is there a message you would like to share with our readers in Japan and globally?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even though I today focused on technology, security, and defense, Finland is known for its soft power\u2014welfare society, advanced education, design, architecture, booming civilian sauna. On the Finnish side, there is growing admiration for Japanese culture and tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helsinki is the nearest European capital from Japan and I hope even more Japanese people visit Finland and forge friendships with the Finnish people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Japan and Finland navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, their partnership stands as a model of how shared values, mutual trust, and complementary strengths can translate into concrete achievements. From pioneering quantum research and sustainable energy to defense and cultural exchange, the two nations continue to build a relationship defined not only by strategic cooperation\u2014but by deep mutual respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.fi.emb-japan.go.jp<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Japan and Finland are marking a period of unprecedented closeness in their bilateral relationship. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine, Japanese Ambassador to Finland Takashi Okada reflects on the state of ties, areas of dynamic growth, and the shared values underpinning cooperation. Bridges: The Finland\u2013Japan relationship continues to grow in depth and scope. How would […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":77661,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[899,292,259,253,666,204],"tags":[506],"class_list":{"0":"post-77264","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-899","8":"category-articles","9":"category-bridging-japan","10":"category-finland","11":"category-government-finland","12":"category-government","13":"tag-industrial"},"yoast_head":"\nJapan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Japan and Finland are marking a period of unprecedented closeness in their bilateral relationship. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine, Japanese Ambassador to Finland Takashi Okada reflects on the state of ties, areas of dynamic growth, and the shared values underpinning cooperation. Bridges: The Finland\u2013Japan relationship continues to grow in depth and scope. How would […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Bridges Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/synergymediaspecialists\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-09-03T00:06:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-17T03:46:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bridges\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Bridges\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/\",\"name\":\"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-03T00:06:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-17T03:46:52+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/7eaae35415f3ab69a9001065f26f87dd\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":720},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/\",\"name\":\"Bridges Magazine\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/7eaae35415f3ab69a9001065f26f87dd\",\"name\":\"Bridges\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5793c7d81e6afee763d0b29c1aaa7981d5bf57671c451fa22aab9ec057e36cc9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5793c7d81e6afee763d0b29c1aaa7981d5bf57671c451fa22aab9ec057e36cc9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Bridges\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/author\/kira\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine","og_description":"Japan and Finland are marking a period of unprecedented closeness in their bilateral relationship. In this conversation with Bridges Magazine, Japanese Ambassador to Finland Takashi Okada reflects on the state of ties, areas of dynamic growth, and the shared values underpinning cooperation. Bridges: The Finland\u2013Japan relationship continues to grow in depth and scope. How would […]","og_url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/","og_site_name":"Bridges Magazine","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/synergymediaspecialists","article_published_time":"2025-09-03T00:06:58+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-17T03:46:52+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Bridges","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Bridges","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/","url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/","name":"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values - Bridges Magazine","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg","datePublished":"2025-09-03T00:06:58+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-17T03:46:52+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/7eaae35415f3ab69a9001065f26f87dd"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2.jpg","width":1080,"height":720},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/japan-finland-relations-innovation-security-and-shared-values\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Japan\u2013Finland Relations: Innovation, Security, and Shared Values"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/","name":"Bridges Magazine","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/7eaae35415f3ab69a9001065f26f87dd","name":"Bridges","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5793c7d81e6afee763d0b29c1aaa7981d5bf57671c451fa22aab9ec057e36cc9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5793c7d81e6afee763d0b29c1aaa7981d5bf57671c451fa22aab9ec057e36cc9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Bridges"},"url":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/author\/kira\/"}]}},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Bridges","author_link":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/author\/kira\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FI25-JP-Amb-FI-2-300x200.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/year\/2025\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2025<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/articles\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Articles<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/articles\/bridging-japan\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Bridging Japan<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/articles\/bridging-japan\/finland\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Finland<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/articles\/bridging-japan\/finland\/government-finland\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Government<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/industries\/government\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Government<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">2025<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Articles<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Bridging Japan<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Finland<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Government<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Government<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/category\/industries\/government\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Industrial<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Industrial<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 8 months ago","modified":"Updated 7 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on September 3, 2025","modified":"Updated on September 17, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on September 3, 2025 12:06 am","modified":"Updated on September 17, 2025 3:46 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77264"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":77664,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77264\/revisions\/77664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77661"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sms-bridges.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}