H. E. Mr. Jolma Julin, Ambassador of Finland to Japan, visited Kobe University on June 5 to deliver a lecture hosted by the Rokko Forum of Graduate School of Economics and the EU Institute in Japan, Kansai.

In the lecture entitled “Finland's Public Policies for Competitiveness”, the Ambassador first introduced Finland as a country that relies on foreign imports for their energy resources and is faced with aging society similar to Japan. He then told the audience how Finland placed strong focuses on its educational system to enhance the country’s competitiveness and produce innovations, The ambassador also emphasized the importance of providing social safety net for the people, which will eventually lead to an ideal integration of social market economy and welfare society. The necessity of adapting existing public institutions as well as rules and regulations to the environment changes was also suggested.

Prior to the lecture, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on President FUKUDA Hideki and Vice President/Director in charge of International Exchange NAKAMURA Chiharu. The visit started with the introduction of Finland from the Ambassador as a nation built on its effective educational system and that they are globally competitive in the fields of forestry, IT, bio and even in the energy industry. President FUKUDA and Vice President NAKAMURA then responded by saying Finland is well known to Japan for her excellent education method and that Kobe University would like to further expand its academic exchanges with Finland. The visit ended in a friendly atmosphere.