Japanese FM due in Helsinki on Jan 9

Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa will visit Helsinki on January 9, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Friday.

She will hold a meeting with her Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen during the visit.

The foreign ministers will discuss current bilateral affairs, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the regional situation in East Asia and other topical international matters.

Japan is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and this year a member of the UN Human Rights Council at the same time as Finland. Japan has also just completed its term of the G7 presidency.

“Japan is a strategic partner for Finland, and we seek to further deepen our relations in several sectors. Our countries share similar views on many international matters. For example, we are both committed to providing strong support to Ukraine and to strengthening the multilateral rules-based system. As leading countries in technological expertise, we will also have plenty of opportunities to deepen our cooperation in fields related to disruptive technologies,” said Valtonen in a the press release.

During her visit to Finland, Kamikawa will also meet President Sauli Niinistö.