Bridging oceans between the Faroe Islands and Japan

On July 1, 2024, the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) welcomed H. E. Mr. Høgni Hoydal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Industry, and Trade of the Faroe Islands, as the keynote speaker for a special seminar entitled "The Faroe Islands: Bridging Oceans Through Friendly Relations, Trade, and Tourism." The event featured a comprehensive introduction of the history, economy, and culture of the Faroe Islands, as well as broader discussions about international collaboration, maritime issues, and shared global challenges.

The Faroe Islands, a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, are made up of 18 islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean between Norway and Iceland at the entryway to the Arctic region to the north. While small in landmass, the Faroe Islands have a large maritime presence and are actively engaged in global affairs, international trade, and exchange.
 
This special seminar was held in conjunction with the Deputy Prime Minister’s first-ever visit to Japan to promote greater ties between Japan and the Faroe Islands. Bilateral relations have deepened in recent years based on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in 2022, encompassing thematic areas including education, technological exchange, research cooperation, and trade relations.

“We see Japan as a close partner on values and it’s approaching the world with the same values in order to keep peace and prosperity for the nations of the world,” said Deputy Prime Minister Hoydal, noting that he had a series of fruitful meetings in Tokyo and was eager to convey his experience in Japan to the people in the Faroe Islands.
 
Deputy Prime Minister Hoydal was joined in this event by H. E. Mr. Sigmundur Ísfeld, Head of the Faroese Representation in Beijing; H.E. Peter Taksøe-Jensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Japan; and OPRI President Hide Sakaguchi.

Dr. Sakaguchi during his remarks underscored the importance of the exchange facilitated by Deputy Prime Minister Hoydal's visit, noting that many people in Japan are not yet familiar with the situation in the Faroe Islands despite increasing cooperation at the national and local level. He also pointed to previous collaboration between the foundation and the Faroe Islands, including through the participation of Mr. Ísfeld in the Arctic Circle Forum Japan, co-hosted by OPRI in March 2023.

During the panel discussion and lively Q&A session, conversations covered a range of topics from the increasing ties between the Faroe Islands and Asia, challenges facing fisheries from the perspective of the sushi industry in Japan, the potential impact of whaling on the tourism industry, and other topics.