Finland Times

 

President Sauli Niinistö (L) speaks as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listens during a joint press conference at Abe's official residence in Tokyo on March 10, 2016. Photo AFP-Lehtikuva

President Sauli Niinistö on Thursday said Japan is one of the key economic partners of Finland outside the EU and a major investor in the country, said an official press release. 

 

Niinistö now on a state visit to Japan also held a meeting on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. The two leaders discussed closer cooperation over security policy while Niinistö welcomed Japan’s plans to participate more extensively in international crisis management.

 

“In recent years, the Japanese have made several major investments in Finnish companies, which have proven to be successful,” Niinistö said at a joint press conference following the meeting. There are more opportunities for cooperation in areas such as the forest industry, the energy sector, nuclear safety as well as various ICT sectors. 

 

In addition, frequent direct air links between the two countries and increasing tourism and cultural ties are bringing them even closer together, said the president.

 

Finland and Japan are building a new strategic partnership, including closer cooperation in terms of political ties and in the areas of the economy, science and technology, education and equality, as well as Arctic issues. 

 

Niinistö discussed bilateral cooperation between Finland and Japan with Shinzo Abe and a joint statement on the strategic partnership was issued after the meeting.

 

The Finnish president said bilateral relations between Finland and Japan are excellent and are based on common values, trust and mutual respect.

 

The discussions also covered the international situation and regional issues such as North Korea and the disputes over the South and East China seas, as well as the situation with regard to asylum seekers in Europe and relations with Russia.

 

This handout photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan on March 10, 2016 shows Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (3rd L) and his wife Jenni Haukio (2nd R), talking with Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko (R) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Photo AFP-Lehtikuva

President Niinistö and First Lady Jenni Haukio are on the state visit from March 7 to 11. The presidential couple was received earlier on Thursday by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

 

The visit began on Tuesday in Japan’s former capital, Kyoto, where the presidential couple familiarised themselves with the country’s history and culture and met representatives from the prefecture.

 

During the visit, Niinistö has met with Japanese political leaders and business representatives including House of Representatives Speaker Tadamori Oshima and Defence Minister Gen Nakatani as well as leading figures from Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation. 

 

On Wednesday, a seminar was arranged in the Japanese National Diet Building on economic relations between Finland and Japan and the strategic partnership between the countries.