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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