The year 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan. The seminar Finland and Japan in the Changing World celebrates the occasion by bringing together specialists from different fields to discuss both the shared historical experiences and the future challenges that the two different yet in many ways similar countries encounter in the contemporary world. The seminar is organized by the Centre for East Asian Studies CEAS and the Unit of Contemporary History, University of Turku, and supported by the Toshiba International Foundation and the Hokkaido University Europe Office.
The seminar is free of charge and open to the public. No prior registration. Welcome!
Contact: Laura Ipatti, laura.ipatti(at)utu.fi.
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Program:
Tuesday 27 August 2019
09:30 Registration opens; Coffee
10:00 Opening Session
Professor Lauri Paltemaa, Centre for East Asian Studies: Welcoming words
Ambassador of Finland to Japan Pekka Orpana, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Vice-Director Takehiro Okabe, Hokkaido University Europe Office
10:40 Session 1: Japan, Finland, Russia and Eastern Europe
Iwashita Akihiro, Hokkaido University: Russo-Japanese relations
Markku Kangaspuro, Aleksanteri Institute: Finnish-Russian relations in the changing international security environment
Takehiro Okabe, University of Helsinki and Hokkaido University Europe Office: Finnish and Japanese folklorists until WWII and their approach to Eurasia
Shingo Masunaga, University of Turku: In-between Conspiracy Theories and Historical Facts: Lessons from the Interwar Japanese Military Intelligence Activities in the Baltic States and Finland
12:20 Lunch at Piccu Maccia, Assistentinkatu 5, Educarium 1st floor (sponsored for registered speakers)
13:30 Session 2: Japan, Finland and the Arctic
Juha Saunavaara, Hokkaido University: Japan’s Arctic policy
Markku Heikkilä, University of Lapland: Finland´s Arctic Policy: Towards a new Arctic Strategy
Liisa Kauppila, University of Turku: Making of the Polar Silk Road: What role for Finland and Japan?
14:45 Coffee
15:15 Session 3: Culture and trade in the Finnish-Japanese relations
Laura Ipatti, University of Turku: Finnish-Japanese cultural diplomacy and Finland’s international information at the end of the Cold War
Ritva Larva, University of Turku: Marta Keravuori and Finnish-Japanese relations through individuals and their activity
Juha Sahi, University of Oulu: ”It is all about networks”: Long-term perspectives on trade relations between Finland and Japan
Olavi K. Fält, University of Oulu: Friends from the beginning: 100 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan
16:45 Closing words