TOKYO, 12 May 2022, (TON): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who is on a visit to Japan, discussed issues of the international situation and regional security at the meeting.

Kishida said “now that we are at a historical crossroads, the cohesion of countries like Finland that share common values is required.”

The Prime Minister of Finland confirmed that both countries share common values.

The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the principle of an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders of Japan and Finland strongly condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and agreed on the need for a resolute, united response to the unfolding crisis that is threatening the rules-based global order.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin told her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida about Finland’s plans to potentially join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a historic move that she said would strengthen the international community that shares universal values.

Kishida said during a joint press briefing with Marin at his office “we see the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region as inseparable and oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force anywhere in the world.”