Japan-Finland Relations

1. On May 11 in Tokyo, the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Finland regarding a Working Holiday Scheme” (Japanese (PDF) / English (PDF) / Finnish (PDF)) was signed by H.E. Mr. FUJIMURA Kazuhiro, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Finland, and H.E. Mr. Pekka ORPANA, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Japan, in the presence of H.E. Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Ms. Sanna MARIN, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland.
2. This Agreement permits a national of the other country who possess a valid working holiday visa/a valid residence permit for a working holiday to stay for a period of up to one year from the date of entry/issuance and allows him or her to engage in employment as an incidental activity of his or her holiday for the purpose of supplementing his or her travel funds.
3. The Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Finland will notify each other, in writing, that its internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this Agreement have been completed, and the Agreement will enter into force on the 30th day after the date of receipt of the latter notification.
4. It is expected that the start of the working holiday program will promote youth exchanges and mutual understanding, and further deepen the friendly relationship between the two countries.

[Reference] Working Holiday Programs

• (1) The working holiday programs are, based on bilateral arrangements, designed to provide the youth of Japan and its partner countries/regions with wider opportunities for them to appreciate the culture and general way of life in the partner countries/regions for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding between Japan and its partner countries/regions. The programs are intended to make it possible for the youth to enter each country/region primarily for the purpose of spending holidays while allowing them to engage in employment as an incidental activity of their holidays for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds.
• (2) Finland will be the 28th country/region to establish a working holiday program with Japan.