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Japan’s Ina City Delegation Explores Innovation-based Ventures and Education Methods in the Forests of North Karelia.

BIOSYS North Karelia International Growth Ecosystem curated a series of content-rich meetings and observation trips in the region for the group.

By Naomi Moriyama

On May 18, 2025, BIOSYS North Karelia Ecosystem welcomed a delegation from Nagano Prefecture’s Ina City, with which Regional Council of North Karelia has an MoU (Forest Bio Economy). The delegation was led by Mr. Takashi Shirotori, the City Mayor, who had been to Joensuu in 2019 and 2023.  The group consisted of City Council Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson; City’s Forestry, Commerce and Education Department Representatives; a professor from Shinshu University; as well as local business owners and primary school educators, a total of 18 people.

As a VR train carrying the City Delegation pulled into the Joensuu Station, the sky was the brightest blue with the intense sun overhead and cool calm atmosphere all around.

The trip covered these key themes:

  • Forestry, Energy and Education & Youth sector expert briefings at Regional Council of North Karelia
  • Authentic Finnish sauna history, characteristics and health benefits with smoke sauna and electric sauna experiences
  • Up-close observations of primary school education programs in forests and dialogues with teachers
  • Business opportunities with cutting-edge-innovation-based forestry ventures
  • Alliance-building discussions with LUKE and University of Eastern Finland

BIOSYS North Karelia International Growth Ecosystem hopes the meetings and discussions were meaningful and the participants continue to engage and develop new collaborative initiatives for thriving communities in North Karelia and Ina City and beyond.

The bluest sky enveloped Karelia’s iconic national landscape artistically expressed by Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957), Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865 – 1931), and Eero Järnefelt (1863–1937)
Ina City Delegation and Naomi Moriyama on Ukko Koli, the God of Sky
Mr. Markus Hirvonen, North Karelia Region Mayor, welcoming Mr. Takashi Shirotori at Pielisjoen linna (the Pielisjoki Castle), which houses the Regional Council Offices. Photo: Sami Tolvanen
Mr. Timo Leinonen, Manager, Cross-border Cooperation Regional Development, Dr. Sari Koivula, Forest and Climate Expert, Ms. Mari Nupponen, Welfare and Education Expert, and Mr. Timo Tahvanainen, Project Manager, EXPRESS – European regions promoting renewable energy self-sufficiency briefed the Ina Delegation on the latest highlights of each expert field. Photo: Sami Tolvanen
Coffee, Teas, Nordic Koivu, Water and Snacks
Table Settings in the Conference Room Adorned with Municipality Coats of Arms
At Smoke Sauna, “Caution! Hot!”
Lake to Cool Off
Slowly Pouring Water on Heated Stones
Joensuu City Sauna Area
Mr. Jouni Luoma, North Karelia Sauna Expert, and Mr. Riku Mantsinen, Karelia Puutec Oy with Ina City Delegation
An open community space with a beautiful soapstone stove by Tulikivi inside the wooden school building
Preschool children playing on an improvised seesaw made of a tree stump and a log
North Karelia’s preschool classroom teachers and students in the forests next to school
Preschool children playing in the forests
Inadani Sees Logo being set up on Kupilka’s laser etching machine
The logo being etched with precision in a few seconds
Dr. Shigeru Katayama, Professor, Faculty of Academic Sciences, Shinshu University and Director, International Centre for Agricultural Education and Research, and Dr. John Kettle, Director for Customer Solutions and International Relationships, LUKE
Nettle Pancakes
North Karelia and Ina City Toasting to the Ever-Growing Relationship. Photo: Sami Tolvanen
Karelia Cuisine with Local Seasonal Ingredients

Photos Naomi Moriyama  写真 森山奈保美

The BIOSYS North Karelia International Growth Ecosystem is run by Natural Resources Institute Finland / Luonnonvarakeskus as a project lead, the Regional Council of North Karelia Pohjois-Karjalan maakuntaliitto, University of Eastern Finland and MKN Itä-Suomi | Rural Women´s Advisory Centre (RWAC) of Eastern Finland. The project is funded by Renewing and Competent Finland 2021–2027, EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme’s Just Transition Fund – JTF, and Regional Council of North Karelia.

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For more information, please contact Naomi Moriyama [email protected]