The beginnings of a special relationship
Japan and Turkey are two countries that have paired together to create the beginnings of a special political relationship. Japan and Turkey's astonishing friendship started in the late 19th century when a Turkish frigate crashed into a reef off the coast of Japan and sank. Japan helped Turkey return the surviving seamen and the wheels were set in motion for a friendship that has transcended boundaries, oceans and centuries to cement the idea that it does not matter where you are from, all that matters is what your country is about.
The start of Japan-Turkey relations was after this terrible tragedy; both nations came together. In the late 1890s, Japan sent their own ship to Turkey and a nautical understanding was fostered between both nations. This is important to understand: the navies of both countries are large and absolutely central to the success of both nations because they determine how the country can respond to foreign issues, especially in Japan's case as the country being an island nation is easily susceptible to the threats of tsunamis, which has recently been highlighted by the 2011 tsunami. Foreign relations are notoriously difficult to nurture, and during a time when conquering other nations was important, Japan and Turkey started modern foreign relations in the early 19 century.
What the countries give each other
Both nations have continuously supported each other through the decades and in recent times. Support in foreign relations tends to start in creating diplomatic missions. Also known as embassies, diplomatic missions serve as a point of contact for the nation in the country. Turkey have an embassy in Japan, and Japan have had a diplomatic presence for decades in Turkey in the form of the Japanese embassy in Ankara. Both of these embassies promote the countries with respect and diligence to ensure that Japan and Turkey's relations grow as the years go by.
One good example of how their relationship has blossomed over the decades is in the 1980s. In 1985, there was a situation where Japanese nationals were embroiled in the Iran-Iraq war. Over 200 Japanese citizens were stuck in Tehran in one of the most terrifying aspects of the whole war ordeal. The Japanese government wanted to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and what ensued was Turkey made sure that all 200+ citizens of Japan were taken back to the country on Turkish Airlines.
This sign of humility and care from Turkey to Japan illuminates the giving nature of the relationship between the two countries. In a time of war, the last thing any citizen wants to think about is how to get home. Citizens just want to be at home with their families. Turkey ensured that the Japanese citizens in the middle of the Iran-Iraq war would be safe by vouching for their safety on specially endorsed flights to get them out of the country.
In the late 1950s, Japan and Turkey worked on increasing the mobility of their citizens to each other's countries. This was realised with the visa exemption agreement. Most citizens of the world know that obtaining the right to go to another nation is critical before you decide you want to move there or live there. Japan and Turkey realised this early on, cementing their relationship by allowing citizens of both countries the ability to go and visit the nations without having to get a visa.
The future is bright for Japan-Turkey relations
As Japan and Turkey look to grow their relationship through financial trade and cultural exchanges, a whole new era has been born where Turkey, continues to look East and how Japan strives to solidify its relationship with Turkey, a country that is a rising star in business, finance and culture.
