The mayor’s programme in Tokyo on 13–14 October brings together leaders of the cities and companies, investors and operators in the fields of innovation, culture and tourism. The visit mainly intends to build long-term partnerships between Helsinki and Tokyo, attract Japanese companies and investors to Helsinki, open up new avenues for Helsinki-based companies on the Japanese market and promote tourism between the two capitals and their respective countries.
New framework and priorities for cooperation
The cooperation between the City of Helsinki and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has grown significantly closer during the last few years. Mayor Sazonov’s visit is an important step in deepening and expanding this collaboration.
On Tuesday 13 October, the Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike and Helsinki Mayor Sazonov signed a memorandum of understanding that consolidates the priorities and structures for the cities' bilaterial cooperation. Cooperation with Tokyo supports the priorities for Helsinki’s international operations, which seek to strengthen the city's skills, international appeal and impact by cooperating with the world’s leading cities and seeking out joint solutions to future city challenges.
"Over the last few years, Helsinki and Tokyo have cooperated more closely in several areas, including economic policy, education and tourism. The signing of a new memorandum of understanding gives this cooperation an even stronger framework and clear priorities. I believe that our enhanced partnership will support the internationalisation of companies based in Helsinki and deepen cultural collaboration between our two cities," said Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov.
In addition to the signing ceremony, the programme in Tokyo consists of numerous stakeholder events and meetings, including sessions with Japanese organisations, tour operators and the media. The events will promote the startup, research and innovation environments of Helsinki, strengthen company and investor relations and support the appeal of Helsinki as a tourist destination.
Helsinki-based companies participating
In addition to the City of Helsinki and Helsinki Partners representatives, the Helsinki delegation includes companies and other operators from the food, health, tourism and audiovisual industries. The programme includes business meetings, seminars and networking events designed to support the companies’ access to the Japanese market and create new openings for commercial cooperation.
"I see huge potential in Japan and Tokyo for many of Helsinki's key growth industries. Helsinki companies from the creative industries, the food sector and health technology industry, for example, can learn and benefit a great deal from the Japanese markets. That is why it's great that so many Helsinki-based companies have joined us on this visit to Japan, as we want to support their internationalisation. At the same time, from a tourism perspective, we are bringing Helsinki and the Helsinki brand to Tokyo," said Mayor Sazonov.
Culture opens doors for cooperation
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is touring Japan in October, performing in Tokyo's Suntory Hall on 13 October. Conducting the orchestra’s concerts on the tour is the HPO's Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Jukka-Pekka Saraste, with music from the iconic Finnish composer Jean Sibelius featuring heavily in the programme. After Japan, the orchestra will continue to South Korea for its first visit to the country. The orchestra made its last visit to Japan some 25 years ago.
The concert tour offers Helsinki a high-quality platform to combine its goals related to culture, vitality and international visibility.