Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen: Cooperation between like-minded countries is increasingly important in the current security situation

Permanent Secretary of Finland's Ministry of Defence Esa Pulkkinen visited Japan last week.

During his visit, Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen met with Japan's State Minister for Defence Taro Honda. The meeting was a continuation of Minister Honda's visit to Finland in August, during which he met with Finland's Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. At their meeting, Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen and Minister Honda discussed cooperation between Finland and Japan and the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security situations. Both parties expressed a desire to deepen collaboration between the two countries in the future.

"Cooperation between like-minded countries is increasingly important in the current security situation. Finland and Japan share many common interests, especially in the fields of security and high-tech industries. Japan has shown particular interest in Finland's concept for comprehensive security and our expertise in defence technology," Permanent Secretary Pulkkinen says.

In addition, Pulkkinen met with Lieutenant General Amio Sato, Commandant of the Joint Staff College, which is administered by Japan's Ministry of Defence. Their discussions focused on potential cooperation between the Joint Staff College and Finland's National Defence University, including Japanese students' visit to Finland. The study visit is a continuation of the close Finland-Japan cooperation initiated by General Yoshihide Yoshida, former Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Inquiries: Major Karri Lahtinen, Military Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 140 112.

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