In a series of heartfelt tributes and collaborative projects, Türkiye and Japan are celebrating the 100th anniversary of their official diplomatic relations. Marking a century of shared history, the two nations are honoring the deep bonds of friendship through cultural events, official ceremonies, and a renewed commitment to mutual cooperation. The festivities began with the 18th Ankara Japanese Film Festival on Thursday, where Japan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Katsumata Takahiko, opened the event with a speech that underscored the long-standing relationship between the two nations. Ambassador Takahiko took the opportunity to express gratitude for Türkiye’s solidarity following a devastating earthquake earlier this year in Japan’s Noto Peninsula.
“On the first day of the new year, a major earthquake occurred in Japan’s Noto Peninsula, and many residents are still facing challenging times. We received warm condolences, especially from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and we want to express our gratitude,” said Ambassador Takahiko. He also commemorated the victims of the catastrophic February 6 earthquakes in Türkiye, reflecting on the mutual support during times of crisis.
Strengthening Ties Across Time and Distance
At the heart of the 100-year celebration is a history of friendship that goes beyond formal diplomatic relations. Yoichi Fukazawa, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, emphasized the rarity of diplomatic ties lasting over a century, especially given the geographical distance between the two countries.
“This is not a coincidence,” Fukazawa noted. “We have built friendly relations by respecting and appreciating each other’s culture and history, assisting each other in difficult times, as our ancestors did.” The historical roots of this partnership go back 137 years, long before the formal establishment of diplomatic relations. Mustafa Hulki Cevizoglu, chairman of the Japan-Türkiye Parliamentary Friendship Group, highlighted the visit of Japanese Prince Komatsu Akihito to Istanbul in 1887, during which he met with Sultan Abdulhamid II. This meeting marked the first exchange between the nations, which led to the tragic journey of the Ertugrul Frigate to Japan in 1890. The ship sank on its return, claiming the lives of 532 sailors, who are remembered as martyrs in both nations.
In 1924, after Japan ratified the Treaty of Lausanne, formal diplomatic ties were established, and in 1925, Türkiye opened its first diplomatic representation in Japan. The relationship was further solidified by the visit of Prince Takamatsu to Türkiye in 1931, where he presented a ceremonial sword to Türkiye’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a symbol of enduring respect that is now displayed in the Anıtkabir Museum.
Bilateral Cooperation in Modern Times
Japan and Türkiye have continued to build upon these historical foundations with practical collaborations in key sectors. In recent years, tourism and economic exchanges between the two countries have flourished, with over 70,000 Japanese tourists visiting Türkiye last year, and more than 20,000 Turkish tourists traveling to Japan. Japanese companies have significantly contributed to Türkiye’s industrial development, with more than 200 operating in various sectors.
A commemorative ceremony took place in Istanbul at the Yenikapi station of the Marmaray railway, a project completed by a Japanese-Turkish consortium. Marmaray, a marvel of engineering that runs beneath the Bosphorus Strait, was praised by Türkiye’s Deputy Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Enver Iskurt, as a symbol of the collaborative spirit between the two nations. “Marmaray fulfills a 150-year-old dream and is a testament to the strong engineering and technological partnership between Japan and Türkiye. It transports approximately 650,000 passengers daily, contributing significantly to Istanbul’s transportation system,” Iskurt said, adding that nearly 1.2 billion passengers have used the system to date.
Japan’s Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Amakawa Hirofumi, lauded Marmaray’s success, calling it an essential project that symbolizes high-quality Japanese infrastructure and Türkiye’s determination to achieve its ambitious transportation goals. He also emphasized that the 100-year anniversary of diplomatic relations serves as a reminder of the two countries’ enduring friendship, which has grown stronger through shared challenges and achievements.
Looking Forward to Future Collaboration
Looking ahead, both nations expressed optimism about deepening their collaboration across various sectors. In particular, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister Iskurt pointed to transportation, energy, tourism, and health as key areas of future cooperation. He highlighted Japan’s significant role in Türkiye’s industrial progress and reiterated the importance of fostering uninterrupted transportation networks, a theme echoed by Yalcin Eyigun, General Director of Infrastructure Investments at Türkiye’s Transport and Infrastructure Ministry. Eyigun, reflecting on his personal experience of training in Japan in 2000, praised the Marmaray project as a premier example of bilateral cooperation, rooted in mutual respect and shared technological prowess.
The day’s events culminated with a ride on a specially decorated Marmaray train, which will remain in service until the end of the year, symbolizing the enduring connection between Japan and Türkiye. As the two nations celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations, they also look toward a future of enhanced collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared progress. “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” said Ambassador Takahiko, capturing the essence of the Türkiye-Japan relationship as both countries continue to support and uplift each other through mutual respect, collaboration, and friendship.
