EU-Japan cooperation takes many forms. Time and time again, we read news reports about agreements signed between the EU, or its Member States, and Japan, about trade missions and cultural events, about joint innovation and dialogue. But the question remains: Who are the people behind these efforts? What is their story and how did they become involved in developing international cooperation?
The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is happy to introduce the third installment of a series of articles meant to introduce the individuals and organizations making EU-Japan collaboration possible.
We hope you enjoy a snippet of our interview with Anna-Maria Wiljanen, the Director of the Finnish Institute in Japan and one of the vice presidents of the Board of Directors of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan..
Q: You are currently the acting Director of the Finnish Institute in Japan, and you sit on the Board of Directors of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Could you tell us about the missions of these organizations?
Anna-Maria: Finnish Institute in Japan was founded exactly 25 years ago, and the main task has remained the same - to establish, develop and strengthen the ties between Finland and Japan when it comes to science, culture and higher education. Regarding my position at the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan, I was offered to be part of the Board soon after arriving in Japan due to the many networks I was involved in, and because I have vast experience, not only from the corporate world but also from culture, economics, art history, marketing and communication. The Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan, of course, wants to help organisations and companies do business. I am also the chairperson of the Board for the Finnish private art foundation called Didrichsen, which also has its own art museum. I was recently elected to the Board of ICOM (International Committee of Museums) Finland. If you ask why I am involved with all these organizations, it is because I think culture, science, higher education, and business go together and benefit each other.
Q: Can you tell us more about the connection between culture and business?
Anna-Maria: It is important to understand the impact of culture when the company is trying to establish itself in a new market. At the end of the day, different companies might have similar products. Culture can provide an added value; it can be the final touch for a Finnish company to establish itself in Japan instead of its competitor. Furthermore, we all need culture and there is scientific research showing that culture improves our wellbeing. The Institute´s task is to introduce new ways of implementing culture, to introduce new artists, designers, writers, and scientists to the Japanese audience. For example, I have been knitting and crocheting all my life, so why not introduce the Finnish tradition of the Knitting Club to the Japanese audience? The Institute started its knitting club more than 5 years ago, and it instantly became a huge success. Today, almost 90 people gather every month to knit and crochet, both onsite and online. Eventually, we also found a Finnish sponsor who has been providing us with Finnish yarn and Finnish needles. This sponsor then established itself in Japan with yarns being sold in more than 60 stores in Japan. This is what I mean with the connection between culture and business.
Q: How do you see the relations between Finland and Japan developing in the forthcoming years?
Anna-Maria: Excellent I would say. We celebrated the centenary of the diplomatic relations in 2019. Our relationship has been very fruitful from the beginning, and I do not see any reason why it would not get even better. We can learn so much from each other. Finnish Institute in Japan is part of Team Finland (network that promotes Finland and its interests abroad), which also includes the Embassy of Finland, Business Finland, and the Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan. The fact that we are all here at the same compound is a strength. Finland is a small nation, but we are curious, innovative, bold, always willing to help and test new ways of doing things. We see that education and innovation are assets. Critical thinkers and innovators are coming out of schools into the cultural and business sector.
The interview continues online, read the complete version here.
Published: December 2023