Finland's Tech Strengths and Japan Collaboration Gaps Laid Out at IVS 2026
The panel reveals a persistent mismatch in perception and communication that limits deeper tech collaboration between two countries with complementary strengths.
Reporting from 1 source: 4Gamer.net.
At IVS 2026 KYOTO, a panel of experts discussed Finland's advanced technology sectors and the communication gaps that hinder Japan-Finland business partnerships. Panelists noted that Japanese executives often only associate Finland with Moomin and sauna, while Finnish startups assume their technology will be understood without explanation. The session highlighted Finland's culture of experimentation and flat organizations as strengths.
Finland is known globally for Moomin, sauna, and high happiness rankings, but its presence in quantum computing and satellite technology is less recognized in Japan. At a July 3 session of IVS 2026 KYOTO, three experts discussed how these perceptions block deeper business ties. Moderator Niklas Tawast of Digital Garage led the discussion with panelists Kei Shigaki of FIN-JPN TWIST and Kensuke Nakajima, Senior Commercial Officer for Finland.
Nakajima said Japanese businesspeople, especially senior executives at major companies, often think of Finland only in terms of Moomin, sauna, happiness, and Marimekko. He noted that government agencies like the Cabinet Office have a deeper understanding, but success stories from Japanese companies working with Finland are rarely shared publicly due to legal and PR department restrictions. On the Finnish side, Nakajima said startups often assume their technology will be understood without explanation, leading to stalled discussions until an intermediary clarifies the unique selling points.
Shigaki listed six Finnish strengths he identified: a strong startup mindset, speed, a culture of experimentation, flat organizations, an ecosystem of industry-academia-government collaboration, and a willingness to not fear failure. He warned that vague affinity alone does not sustain cooperation; stakeholder engagement and incentives must be deliberately designed.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.