By the order of Catherine the Great, Finnish biologist Adam Laxman, while repatriating Daikokuya Kodayu and his crew, established trade relations between the Russian Empire and Japan.

Finnish explorer and geologist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld traveled through the Arctic sea route and arrived in Yokohama.

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On sixth of December 1917, Finland declares independence from the Russian Empire.

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In May, Japan officially recognizes Finland. As a result, the two countries establish diplomatic relations. On September 6, Professor G.J. Ramstedt, renowned expert on Asia, appointed as the first Finnish Envoy to Japan, from 1920 to 1929, during which he was a frequent guest lecturer at Tokyo University, where he influenced many Japanese researchers. He acquired command of the Japanese language quickly.

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Treaty of Commerce and Navigation was signed.

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Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

The Society was founded on May 8th, 1935 in Helsinki, Finland and it has been an active organizer of Japan related events in Finland.

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The photo is from their annual party in 1938 (The Finnish Japanese Society).

National epic of Finland Kalevala was published in Japanese, which was translated by Kakutan Morimoto. It was the first translation outside Europe.

Japanese Consulate General in Helsinki and Finnish Trade Office and Consulate General in Tokyo opened.
Ten years after, in 1962, promoted to the status of Embassy.

The Finnish School in Japan, originally established for the children of the Finnish missionary families. It is closed now.

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Photo by JASUKO

Japan-made animation of “the Moomins”, followed by “New Moomin”, broadcasted on Fuji TV, making Moomins popular in Japan.

Photo from Moomin officials.

www.moomin.com

The first Finnish companies established in Japan were Enso-Gutzeit (now Stora Enso) and Nippon Finnpap (now UPM-Kymmene) . Later in the 80s and 90s, major Finnish companies for machinery and telecommunications advance to Japan.

Photo of Finnish industrial delegation visiting Japan in 1985. From left to right: Ebbe Sommar of Metsäliitto, Mr. Ilpo Kaislaniemi, Embassy, Technology, Carl G.Björnberg of Myllykoski, Sverre Norrgård of Nippon-Finnpap, Esko Vuorio of Enso, Heikki Kellokoski of Kymi, Jorma Keino of Finnpap, Pauli Opas (Ambassador), unknown, Carl-Christian Rosenbröijer of Finnpap and Tom Kiyama of Nippon-Finnpap.

Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Japan-Finland Economic Association established (now Japan-Finland Association). After that, numerous friendship groups and associations between Japan and Finland were established. Currently 21 nationwide in 2018. Photo from association’s newsletter (1974).

Finland was the first Nordic country to sign a cultural agreement with Japan. After that, cultural exchanges increased dramatically.

The Embassy of Finland moved to the present location from Roppongi. The building was constructed in 1983. An old dignified Japanese oak (Japanese: shii no ki ) decorates the inner court of the Embassy building.

After the signing of the aviation agreement in 1981 and the start of airline services between the countries, Finland became the geographically closest European country to Japan. Currently there are 38 weekly flights between the countries, Japan Airlines included.

Photo by Finnair.

photo by The Finnish Japanese Society.

photo by The Finnish Japanese Society

The company entered into the mobile phone business in Japan that year, and it has changed its core business from mobile phones to network infrastructure since 2010. Nokia has been providing mobile network equipment to all the 3 major mobile operators in Japan. Nokia is the largest Finnish company in Japan, with 800 employees currently working in the country.

photo by The office of the President of the Republic.

The Finnish Institute in Japan connects Finnish and Japanese professionals and organisations in the fields of science, education and culture. We enable dialogue and develop co-operation between actors in culture, research, higher education, technology and business.

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The Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan was established in 1999 and is approved by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Japan. The main purpose of FCCJ is to promote trade and economic exchange between Japan and Finland. Photo: Rauno Sirola (left), first FCCJ President and Ambassador Pekka Lintu

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photo by The office of the President of the Republic.

photo by The office of the President of the Republic.

Sendai Finland well being center is a Sendai based non-profit organization developing businesses between Finland and Japan. It creates a health and welfare industry cluster by supporting manufacturers and service providers to develop products and services in the nursing care field. Now Sendai and Oulu city has collaboration in the fields of ICT, nanotechnology, biotechnology etc. based on the Co-incubation Agreement for Industry Promotion. Currently, various local governments such as Kanagawa prefecture and Yamaguchi city have collaboration with Finnish local industry-government-academia.

Number of Japanese tourists visiting Finland has increased dramatically after the movie.

©Kamomshokai PHOTO Yoko Takahashi.

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Photo by Office of the President of the Republic of Finland.

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland, commemorative events were held, such as a Noh performance, Urasenke tea ceremony with the visit of the head of the school Sen Shoojitsu XV, Hokkaido traditional arts, showcase of the Kudo martial arts, etc.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado visited Finland, invited by President Halonen. Both were patrons of the Finnish Institute in the Japan Science Program (2007-2011).

President Halonen, Prime Minister Kiviniemi and Foreign Minister Stubb all express their condolences, along with donations and disaster relief support through the EU.

Niinistö meets Prime Minister Abe and issue a joint statement on the Strategic Partnership between Finland and Japan. Abe visits Finland the following year.

Photo by Office of the President of the Republic of Finland.

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The nation celebrated its 100th year with numerous events in Finland and all around the world.

In the year 2019, Finland and Japan will celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations. This special Anniversary year will be celebrated through a range of activities in both Finland and Japan.