Konferenssit ja seminaarit

Seminar: Finland and Japan in the Changing World

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.

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