Seminar “How Finland Builds Comprehensive Security: Defence, Resilience, and Lessons for Japan”

The Economic Security Intelligence Lab (ESIL) at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), the University of Tokyo, and the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo are pleased to host a public seminar featuring Mr. Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Finland titled:

How Finland Builds Comprehensive Security:
Defence, Resilience, and Lessons for Japan

【Event Overview】
This public seminar will welcome Mr. Janne Kuusela, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Finland, for a discussion on how Finland builds comprehensive security in a rapidly changing European security environment. The seminar will explore how Finland connects national defence with crisis preparedness, critical infrastructure, security of supply, public-private cooperation, and broader societal resilience, and consider what lessons its experience may offer for Japan.
 
Mr. Kuusela has worked extensively on Finnish defence policy and cooperation with NATO and was appointed Permanent Secretary in February 2026. He also serves as Chair of the Security Committee, which supports the Finnish Government and ministries in coordinating preparedness and comprehensive security.
 
Finland's approach to Comprehensive Security is based on the idea that safeguarding the vital functions of society is not the responsibility of the defence sector alone. Government, local authorities, businesses, civil society, and citizens all have roles to play in preparing for and responding to crises. This model has gained renewed relevance as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland's accession to NATO, and broader changes in Europe have fundamentally reshaped the regional security environment.
 
ESIL has deepened its engagement with Finland through dialogues with President Alexander Stubb, a delegation of the Finnish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, and Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto. Building on these discussions, this seminar will focus on how national security and preparedness work in practice, and examine what lessons Finland's experience may offer for Japan, as well as the future potential for Japan-Finland and broader Japan-Europe security cooperation.
 
【Speaker】
Mr. Janne Kuusela is the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Finland. The Permanent Secretary manages and supervises the activities of the Ministry of Defence together with the Minister.
 
Mr. Kuusela joined the MoD in 1999 working on Finland's defence support for the Baltic States. He later served as specialist on European Security and Defence Policy (2001–2003) and on Finland's cooperation with NATO (2003–2006), as Defence Adviser at the Mission of Finland to NATO Headquarters (2006–2009), and as Ministerial Adviser at the MoD (2009–2012) on Finland's multinational and bilateral defence cooperation. He also served as Director of the MoD Corporate Planning Unit (2012–2016), overseeing development of the defence administration's organization and economic efficiency and the implementation of the government's program.
 
From 2016 to February 2026, Mr. Kuusela served as Director General of the Defence Policy Department, responsible for developing Finnish defence policy, participation in international defence cooperation, providing the basis for the Defence Forces' planning, and the direction of strategic research.
 
Mr. Kuusela was appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Finland on February 1, 2026. He is also the Chair of the Security Committee, a permanent, broad-based cooperation body for proactive preparedness that assists the Government and ministries in matters of comprehensive security.
 
The discussion will be moderated by Akira Igata (Project Lecturer, RCAST, University of Tokyo).
 
This seminar will be conducted in English.
 
Notes for participants
- For security reasons, no dangerous materials or food/beverages are allowed inside the venue. Please follow staff instructions during the event.
- Please present your valid photo ID (e.g., student ID or driver’s license) at the reception desk on the day of the event. For security reasons, participants who do not provide complete and accurate information regarding their identity, affiliation, and position may not be admitted.