The idea of the Finnish Institute in Japan was created in 1996. There was a need to create an institute with background supporters from universities, scientific and culture communities, towns and Finnish-Japanese friendship associations but also representatives of the business community. The Foundation of the Finnish Institute in Japan was registered on May 15th 1998 and it was founded by 33 different parties.
DIRECTORS
Jukka Viitanen 1998–2002
Katja Valaskivi 2002–2004
Heikki Mäkipää 2004–2011
Kauko Laitinen 2011–2014
Merja Karppinen 2014–2016
Kauko Laitinen 2016–2017
Anna-Maria Wiljanen 2018–
PROJECT MANAGERS
Annukka Klinge 1998–2001
Heli Lampi 2001–2007
Aarne Toivonen 2007–2011
Ulla Kinnunen 2011–2016
Kati Laakso 2016–2018
Pasi Järvinen 2018–2023
Jenna Tavasti 2024-
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Yrjö Sotamaa 1997–2003
Markku Löytönen 2004–2009
Matti Rautiola 2010–2016
Susanna Pettersson 2016–2019
Pirjo Hiidenmaa 2020–2021
Antti Ahlava 2022–
BOARD MEMBERS (updated January 1st, 2024)
Professor, vice principal Antti Ahlava (Aalto University), Chairperson
Museum Director Marja Sakari (Ateneum Art Museum), Vice chairperson
Professor Olli Silvén (University of Oulu)
Professor Johanna Mäkelä (University of Helsinki)
Professor Reko Leino (Åbo Akademi University)
Professor Pirjo Hiidenmaa (University of Helsinki)
Representative of the board, Senior research funding advisor Tiia Saarinen (University of Arts Helsinki), secretary of the board
DELEGATION
There are 29 parties (as per August 26th 2022) in the delegation of the foundation.
Universities, research and societies of science
- Aalto University
- Academy of Finland
- Hanken School of Economics
- LUT University
- The Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
- University of Eastern Finland
- University of Helsinki
- University of Jyväskylä
- University of Lapland
- University of Oulu
- University of Tampere
- University of the Arts Helsinki
- University of Turku
- University of Vaasa
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
- Åbo Akademi University
The business community and enterprises
- Kemira Chemicals Oy
- Nokia Oyj
- Outokumpu Oyj
- Tallink Silja Oy
Culture and art
- Promotion Center Finland
- Design Museum
- Finnish Association of Architects
- Finnish Cultural Foundation
- Union of Finnish Writers
Friendship associations
- Finnish Japanese Society (SJY)
- Japan Finland Society
Others
- Business Finland (Finpro and Tekes)
- City of Helsinki