Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo Visits the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden

1. Finland

(1) Japan-Finland Dual-use and DeepTech Business Forum (Monday, February 2)

METI, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Business Finland co-hosted the Japan-Finland Dual-use and DeepTech Business Forum. It was attended by H.E. Mr. Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs of the Republic of Finland, and 80 organizations in total from both countries, including companies, industrial associations, and governmental organizations. Participants joined panel discussions or presentations on cooperation in fields of aviation and drones, space, and information technology.

Following the keynote addresses by the governments of Japan and Finland, active discussions took place between the industrial sectors of both countries on the challenges involved and the potential for collaboration.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs (Monday, February 2)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with H.E. Mr. Sakari Puisto, Minister of Economic Affairs, in the presence of Mr. Takizawa Go, ATLA Deputy Commissioner, and representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. During the meeting they noted specific cooperation projects between companies in both countries and exchanged views on areas of cooperation.

They then signed a joint statement on strengthening cooperation in dual-use and advanced technology, as well as agreeing to cement bilateral economic relations in other fields.
They welcomed the conclusion of the memorandum of cooperation between JETRO and Business Finland, Which aims to foster cooperation, including the facilitation of innovation.

Related Material

Joint statement on strengthening Japan-Finland cooperation in dual-use and advanced technology (PDF:2,819KB)

(3) Meeting with H.E. Dr. Antti Vasara, Special Envoy for Technology for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Monday, February 2)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with Dr. Antti Vasara, Special Envoy for Technology for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the presence of representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. Mr. Matsuo introduced innovative technology of Japanese companies and exchanged views with Dr. Vasara towards fostering cooperation in dual-use and advanced technology.

(4) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Risto Artjoki, State Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office (Tuesday, February 3)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with H.E. Mr. Risto Artjoki, State Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, in the presence of Mr. Takizawa Go, ATLA Deputy Commissioner, and representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. Mr. Matsuo introduced innovative dual-use and advanced technologies of Japanese companies and exchanged views with Mr. Artjoki towards fostering bilateral cooperation in fields including economic security and supply chain resilience.

(5) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Olli Ruutu, Director-General at the Resource Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence (Tuesday, February 3)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo and Mr. Takizawa Go, ATLA Deputy Commissioner, met with H.E. Mr. Olli Ruutu, Director-General at the Resource Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence, in the presence of representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. Mr. Matsuo and Mr. Takizawa introduced innovative dual-use and advanced technologies of Japanese companies and discussed with Mr. Ruutu the strengthening of bilateral relations and collaboration among like-minded countries, including EU and NATO.

(6) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence (Tuesday, February 3)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo and Mr. Takizawa Go, ATLA Deputy Commissioner, met with H.E. Mr. Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence. They affirmed the importance of collaboration towards strengthening supply chain resilience. They also exchanged views towards cementing bilateral cooperation in the fields of dual-use and advanced technology, including quantum technology, space, and cybersecurity, and the defense industry.

(7) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Tuesday, February 3)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with H.E. Mr. Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. They exchanged views towards deepening bilateral economic relations and supporting Japanese companies operating in Finland. They affirmed their commitment to cooperating particularly in quantum technology, space, and dual-use technology, which both countries prioritize, and in supply chain resilience for critical minerals and other areas. 

2. Sweden

(1) Japan-Sweden Dual-use and DeepTech Business Forum (Wednesday, February 4)

METI, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and Business Sweden co-hosted the Japan-Sweden Dual-use and DeepTech Business Forum. It was attended by over 60 organizations in total from both countries including companies, industrial associations, and governmental organizations. Participants joined panel discussions or presentations on cooperation in the fields of aviation and drones, space, and information technology.

Following the keynote addresses by the governments of Japan and Sweden, active discussions took place between the industrial sectors of both countries on the challenges involved and the potential for collaboration.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Mikael Lindvall, Director General, Directorate-General for Global Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Wednesday, February 4)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with H.E. Mr. Mikael Lindvall, Director General, Directorate-General for Global Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in the presence of representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. Mr. Matsuo introduced innovative dual-use and advanced technologies of Japanese companies and exchanged views with Mr. Lindvall towards fostering bilateral cooperation. They also exchanged views on free trade, supply chain resilience, and economic security.

(3) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Sara Modig, State Secretary to Minister for Energy, Business and Industry at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise (Thursday, February 5)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo met with H.E. Ms. Sara Modig, State Secretary to Minister for Energy, Business and Industry at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise, in the presence of representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. As part of the collaboration under the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on energy and innovation signed between METI and the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise of the Kingdom of Sweden in December 2024, they discussed promoting the formation of specific projects through the current dispatch of business missions in the fields of dual-use and advanced technology and other topics. They also signed a joint statement on strengthening cooperation in these fields. They welcomed the conclusion of the memorandum of cooperation between JETRO and Business Sweden, which aims to foster cooperation, including the facilitation of innovation.

• At the signing of the joint statement with H.E. Ms. Sara Modig,
  State Secretary to Minister for Energy,
  Business and Industry at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise
• At the meeting with H.E. Ms. Sara Modig,
  State Secretary to Minister for Energy,
  Business and Industry at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise

Related Material

Joint statement on strengthening Japan-Sweden cooperation in dual-use and advanced technology (PDF:2,821KB)

(4) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Pål Jonson, Minister for Defence (Thursday, February 5)

Vice-Minister for International Affairs Matsuo and Mr. Takizawa Go, ATLA Deputy Commissioner, met with H.E. Mr. Pål Jonson, Minister for Defence, in the presence of representatives of Japanese companies and other organizations. Mr. Matsuo and Mr. Takizawa introduced innovative dual-use and advanced technologies of Japanese companies, exchanged views with Mr. Jonson towards strengthening bilateral relations and affirmed the importance of collaboration among like-minded countries, including EU and NATO, and supply chain resilience. Minister Jonson expressed his appreciation for Japan’s support for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Division in Charge

Europe Division, Trade Policy Bureau