Prime Minister Katainen in Japan with a delegation of business leaders
A Finnish business delegation led by Prime Minister Katainen had a meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda, on Monday in Tokyo. The purpose of the visit of Prime Minister Katainen and that of the business delegation is to strengthen the economic relations between Finland and Japan, to open new business opportunities for Finnish companies in Japan and to encourage Japanese investment in Finland.
"Japan is going through a time of great change, for example, in its energy policy, especially in terms of its use of nuclear power after the crisis in Fukushima. Japan's new energy policy guidelines to be published very soon will have a significant role even at global level. This will provide Finnish companies with unique opportunities to enhance cooperation with Japan, for example in the area of nuclear power and renewable natural resources. We are making moves at the right time", Prime Minister Katainen said in Tokyo.
During the discussion between the premiers, Prime Minister Noda said that Japanese specialists mapping out the future of nuclear power are particularly interested in Finnish nuclear power expertise and opportunities to offer Japanese solutions to Finland's future nuclear power projects. "We have a keen interest in finding opportunities for cooperation in utilising biomass and wind power, too. The role of renewable natural resources will significantly grow in Japan", Prime Minister Noda said.
During his visit to Japan, Prime Minister Katainen will have discussions with several Japanese Ministers on the global economic situation and cooperation between Asian countries. Prime Minister Katainen will also meet the Governor of the Bank of Japan, Masaaki Shirakawa. Together with the delegation of Finnish business leaders, he will have meetings with the leaders of Japanese companies Toshiba, Hitachi and Mitsubishi.
While in Tokyo, the Prime Minister's programme will include a visit to the opening of the remodelled Iittala department at the Matsuya Ginza Department Store. Princess Takamodo of Japan will also attend the event.
Inquiries: Inquiries: Kari Mokko, Director of Government Communications, tel. +358 40 751 3281
ANNEX
Finnish business delegation to Japan, 2-6 September 2012
AW-Energy Oy
Enersense International Oy
DEKRA Industrial Oy
Confederation of Finnish Industries EK
Fiskars Corporation
Konecranes Plc
Lappset Group Ltd
Metsä Group
Nokia Siemens Networks
Pohjolan Voima
Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO)