Finland's prime minister apologised to Asian nations on Wednesday as he sought to contain a growing controversy over derogatory images posted by far-right members of the Nordic country's parliament.

A Finnish beauty queen was stripped of her crown for a gesture mocking Asians. After Finnish lawmakers have copied her, Finland’s prime minister is trying to defuse the controversy.

Thank you very much, dear Petteri, for this opportunity. For me, these visits to the capitals are really important — not just because it is my duty to try to bring the European institutions close to ...