Helsinki-Tokyo cooperation deepens: High school students from Japan’s capital pay reciprocal visit

Cooperation between Helsinki and Tokyo has developed significantly in recent years. In August, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike visited Helsinki as a guest of Mayor Juhana Vartiainen. The two cities signed a joint communique about the co-operation at this time. This week, this cooperation has led to high school students from Tokyo visiting Finland’s capital.
Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen (centre) poses with students from Tokyo and Helsinki on the City Hall balcony.
Helsinki Mayor Juhana Vartiainen (centre) poses with students from Tokyo and Helsinki on the City Hall balcony. Photo: Helsingin kaupunki / Helsingfors stad / City of Helsinki

One component of the Helsinki-Tokyo cooperation was arrangements for the regular exchange of high school students. The first group of high school students from Tokyo is visiting Helsinki this year from 18–21 December. During their visit, the students will participate in classes at the Helsinki Fine Arts High School Torkkeli and make visits to various cultural and business locations.

The group that is visiting Helsinki includes 16 students from four different high schools: the Tokyo Metropolitan Shinjuku-Yamabuki High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Suginami Koka High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Daigo Shogyo High School and Tokyo Metropolitan Tanashi Koka High School. Twelve general upper secondary school students from Helsinki who visited Tokyo in November are accompanying the visitors during their stay.

"Over the past few years, we have built and deepened our cooperation with several different cities, including global megacities such as Tokyo. We are working jointly with Tokyo on several different themes and we have many shared goals that connect our cities. Above all, we seek to promote future know-how and investments that will create sustainable values and sustainable growth. Our cooperation is made tangible in measures that benefit the people of Helsinki – in this case, benefitting young people. Internationalism should ideally be part of young people’s everyday interactions at every level of education, as young people can learn so much from each other," says Mayor Vartiainen.

High school students from Tokyo and Helsinki were the guests of Mayor Vartiainen at Helsinki City Hall on Tuesday, 19 December.

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