Japan, Finland Cooperation for Arctic

A joint statement of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Tokyo says: "The two leaders confirmed their commitment to advance dialogue and cooperation in their shared interests in the Arctic including further utilization of the Northern Sea Route, economic development of the Barents Region, and enhanced cooperation in the region by mobilizing political will, commercial opportunities, and academic resources." 

The sea route has attracted global attention as shipping lanes have opened up due to global warming-induced loss of summer sea ice and is seen as a valuable route connecting Asia and Europe, the shortest possible sea passage linking the continents.

The Abe-Niinisto talks came as Japan hopes to strengthen ties with Finland, especially in the development of the Arctic region, Japanese officials said.

Japanese authorities have been paying more and more attention to the Arctic. The country became an observer to the Arctic Council in 2013, and has observer status to the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. In October 2015, Japan released its first Arctic Policy, which advocated a key role in the future formulation of international rules for Arctic development.