In this article, a Japanese entrepreneur is interviewed about his journey to start a company in Helsinki, Finland, as well as his cultural learnings.
Originally a manager at a Japanese company in the capital region, Kengo Tashiro, arrived in Finland with his family in 2017 and has now founded an independent company. His goal is to introduce solutions between Japan and Europe and deliver new value while considering local culture and values.
Tashiro has received start-up support from various systems in Helsinki, both public and private. His company is a resident of Maria 01, the largest startup campus in the Nordics, and he enjoys the atmosphere that encourages business creation and the community coming together under the startup event Slush.
Some of Tashiro’s cultural learnings include the pro-Japanese attitude in Finland and the famous Finnish work-life balance. The latter, he has embodied as: "When you work, work hard. When you rest, rest hard.”
The full interview is available in Japanese. This article is provided by Helsinki Partners, the investment promotion and international marketing agency of the city of Helsinki. Helsinki Partners specialises in assisting international companies in finding business partners and projects in Finland’s capital.
Source: Helsinki Partners
Published: December 2025