President leaves for Japan on 5-day visit

President Alexander Stubb on Sunday left Helsinki for Japan on an official visit from June 8 to 12.

The aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral relations between Finland and Japan, discuss current security policy issues and global challenges, and promote cooperation between Finnish and Japanese companies, according to the Office of the President.

During his stay in Japan, Stubb will meet with Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan. President Stubb will also make a state call on his Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

The programme will begin on Monday in Hakui City, Ishikawa, with a meeting with the Mayor of Hakui and a visit to the Hakui City Public Library. Later in the day, Stubb and Innes-Stubb will visit a high school in the town of Nakanoto, Ishikawa.

On 10 June, the President will give a public lecture on geopolitics and the transformation of the multilateral order at the University of Tokyo and meet with students. The event is hosted by the University of Tokyo's Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST).

In the afternoon, Business Finland and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) are organizing a business meeting at which Stubb will give a speech. The day will conclude with a reception hosted by the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo to celebrate the Flag Day of the Finnish Defence Forces.

On June 11, Stubb will meet with foreign policy experts at a High-Level Roundtable organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Japan. The discussions will focus on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.

The programme also includes meetings with Fukushiro Nukaga, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan and representatives of the Japan-Finland Parliamentary Friendship League.

On 12 June, the presidential couple will visit the EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, and open the special Finland Day celebrations. The main theme of the Osaka World Expo is Designing Future Society for Our Lives. Finland is participating in the World Expo with a joint Nordic pavilion. The Nordic concept is based on the countries’ shared values of trust and collaboration. In Finland, the project is being implemented by Business Finland.

The President will be accompanied by First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb during his visit.

President’s delegation will include Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio, a number of lawmakers and business leaders.

Former President Sauli Niinistö and his spouse Jenni Haukio last visited Japan in 2019 to attend the coronation of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino visited Finland in 2019 to celebrate the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan.