Japan-Turkey Relations (Basic Data) (2024)

General:

Japan and the Republic of Turkey have maintained good relations for over a century. There has been wide-ranging interaction between the two countries, including visits by eminent persons, as well as economic and cultural exchange. These exchanges have been increasing since a visit to Turkey by Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe in 1983. Turkey's former premier Turgut Ozal (prime minister 1983-89, president 1989-93, died April 1993), who was familiar with Japanese affairs, also played an important role in the growth of the relationship.

There have been various exchanges of visits by eminent persons, such as the visits of Crown Prince Naruhito in March 2009 and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in January 2010. On the occasion of visit to Turkey by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in May 2013, "Joint Declaration of the Establishment of Strategic Partnership Between Japan and the Republic of Turkey" was signed and on the occasion of second visit in October 2013, "Joint Declaration by the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in the field of Nuclear Energy and Science and Technology" was signed between Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Japan for the first time as the President of the Republic of Turkey in October 2015 and Prime Minister Abe expressed to further expand the “Strategic Partnership” between the two countries in all fields, including politics, the economy and culture on the occasion of their summit meeting. On the occasion of the third visit to Turkey by Prime Minister Abe in November 2015, the premiere screening of the Japanese-Turkish film production “Kainan 1890”with the presence of both leaders as well as the fifth summit meeting between Prime Minister Abe and President Erdogan were held in Istanbul.

The friendly relations, which started with the visit of Ottoman Empire's Ertugrul Frigate to Japan and the disaster following the visit, has reached its 120th anniversary in 2010. Not only the Ertugrul Frigate Disaster but also several historical incidents such as the rescue of Japanese people by a Turkish Airlines plane during Iran-Iraq War that symbolize the friendship between two countries are frequently mentioned. Commemorating 120th anniversary of the friendship between Japan and Turkey, "Japan Year 2010 in Turkey" was held and 186 various events were held in all over Turkey through the whole year.Moreover, in the wake of Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and the earthquakes in Turkey's eastern part in October and November 2011 respectively, both countries provided each other with support, which strengthened the relationship between the two nationals.

Diplomatic Relations:

Bilateral Treaties and Agreements:

Number of Residents:

• 2,208 Japanese residents in Turkey (as of October 2015)
• 4,723 Turkish residents in Japan (as of December 2015)

Trade with Japan (in US Dollars):

• Principal imports from Japan: $3.14 billion (2015)
  (Construction equipments, Automobile ・ Automobile parts, Steel Plate)
• Principal exports to Japan: $334 million (2015)
  (Cigarette, Tuna, Spaghetti)

Economic Assistance from Japan:

Japan regards Turkey as one of its most important aid recipients in the Middle East and actively provides assistance. This stance reflects the following factors: First, Turkey is an important nation, and is contributing to regional stability with its moderate and realistic foreign policy and by working harmoniously with the West while maintaining friendly and cooperative relations with neighboring Eastern European countries and Newly Independent States. Second, Turkey's need for aid is strong due to its large population. Third, Turkey is geopolitically important because of its location at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Japan's Aid to Turkey:

• List of Exchange of Notes
• Loans: 652.1 billion yen (Cumulative total as of 2014)
• Grant aid: 3.639 billion yen (Cumulative total as of 2014)
• Technical cooperation: 46.512 billion yen (Cumulative total as of 2014)

Educational and Cultural Exchange:

• (a) Cultural Exchange
  Japan and Turkey have been enjoying long lasting friendly relations for more than 100 years. According to the public survey in Turkey conducted by the Japanese Foreign Ministry in 2012, 83.2% of respondents answered that the relations between Japan and Turkey are "friendly" or "almost friendly".
• (b) In May, 1998, the Turkish-Japanese foundation culture center was opened in Ankara by Suleyman Demirel, President of the Republic of Turkey and Prince and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, and a variety of cultural events have been held in the center. The center functions as a base for not only cultural exchange between two countries but also other various field of exchange.
• (c) In 2010, on the occasion of the 120th year of the Ertugrul Frigate Disaster, 186 cultural events took place under the framework of "the Japan Year 2010 in Turkey". The Japanese-Turkish film production “Kainan 1890” was produced and showed in both countries in 2015 on the memorial of 125th year of the Disaster.
• (d) Japanese Language Education
  Japanese language education in Turkey began in 1976 with the establishment of the first Japanese language course in the country by the Istanbul branch of the Turkey-Japan Women's Cultural Association. University-level Japanese language education began in earnest in 1986 with the establishment of a Japanese language and literature program in the faculty of letters of Ankara University. Japanese language education has grown over the years, and courses have been established in major universities in Turkey.