The EU and Canada are developing an “ever closer association.” Japan should be the EU’s next partner in such a relationship.
The global order is being rebuilt around economic power, technology, security and critical value chains. Europe must act now with democratic partners it trusts. Japan is among the most important. Finland and Japan have built deep trust through a century of trade, cooperation and personal relationships.
EU–Japan agreements provide a strong foundation for deeper cooperation in industry, energy, technology, investment and research.
Industrial partnerships should form its core. Europe and Japan both need growth, competitive industries, secure energy and control over critical technologies. Europe needs Japan’s industrial strength to scale new industries globally. In return, the EU offers Japan growth, the single market and a trusted long-term partnership.
Instead of speaking only about de-risking, Europe and Japan should build, finance and control the value chains on which people depend — from security and intelligence to food, pharmaceuticals, health care and energy.
Technological sovereignty means making our own choices and building essential capabilities with trusted partners. Europe and Japan can combine research, standards, investment, procurement and production, while securing critical supply chains.
Energy should be another pillar. Europe and Japan need secure, affordable and low-carbon energy systems that strengthen industrial competitiveness, resilience and sovereignty — and create solutions for global markets.
Japanese sogo shosha — integrated trading and investment companies such as Marubeni Corp. — can play a key role. Their scale, capital and delivery capabilities connect technology, finance and customers. They can turn innovations into industrial projects in our markets and across the world.
Only one country lies between Finland and Japan. Finnair and Japan Airlines have helped bridge that geography by connecting our people, companies and institutions. These human connections are the most important foundation of trust between our countries.
Finland is well placed to advance the wider EU-Japan agenda. Our strength is connecting innovation with the systems that sustain everyday life — from health care and pharmaceuticals to food, energy and education. Japan adds industrial scale, investment capacity and global reach.
Education must connect the partnership across generations. Joint research, student mobility and cooperation between universities and companies can create the skills, relationships and trust needed to build shared value chains and global solutions.
For me, this relationship is personal. When I joined Marubeni’s Tokyo headquarters as an intern in the late 1990s, its CEO told me: “Marubeni and Finland have had excellent relations for 100 years. Your job is to make sure that the next 100 years are even better.”
Almost three decades later, that assignment is more timely than ever.
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