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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in an op-ed he wrote for Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun, called for strengthened cooperation between Türkiye and Japan to address global challenges, stressing that "the joint efforts of Türkiye and Japan, as countries with deep-rooted civilizations, can pave the way for constructive solutions to global problems."
The article, published in both Japanese and English, was announced by Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, who said it represents "a joint call of conscience to the world from two ends of Asia."
Erdogan's piece emphasizes the historical friendship between the two nations while addressing contemporary challenges, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza and the need for enhanced international cooperation.
In his article, Erdogan traced the roots of Türkiye-Japan relations to the 1890 Ertugrul Frigate incident near Kushimoto, where Japanese citizens showed compassion to Turkish sailors in distress, establishing what he called "a bridge of hearts stronger than official documents."
"From Marmaray to Osmangazi Bridge, from the second Bosphorus bridge Fatih Sultan Mehmet to Halic Bridge, Turkish determination and Japanese engineering have worked hand in hand in many projects," Erdogan wrote.
"These works are not made only of steel and concrete; each one is a symbol of the wisdom, alliance and bond of heart between the two countries," he noted.
The president highlighted the Cam and Sakura City Hospital in Istanbul as "one of the brightest examples of this cooperation in the health field."
Erdogan argued that no single nation can resolve global issues alone, writing that "unilateral initiatives are driven into deadlock, international institutions remain insufficient."
"Today we see that the international system is shaken by deep crises," he said, noting challenges including economic instability, energy and food security concerns, and climate-related disasters.
The president emphasized that both countries have supported each other during natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, with Japan providing assistance after Türkiye's 2023 earthquake and Türkiye offering help following Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Erdogan also highlighted the work of development agencies Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as examples of successful cooperation, noting that "the issue is not only interstate cooperation, but also reflecting the conscience of our peoples into politics."
Looking ahead, he identified potential for joint infrastructure, energy, transportation and development projects in Africa and Central Asia, as well as reconstruction efforts in Ukraine and Syria.
"The friendship between Türkiye and Japan is more than a beautiful memory of the past; it is also a great opportunity to overcome today's crises," Erdogan stated.
"At the point we have reached, showing the same solidarity as a world against the injustice in Gaza is both a requirement of our historical responsibility and human dignity," he noted.
Addressing the situation in Gaza, Erdogan wrote: "As a result of Israel's genocide and occupation, we witness a picture where children die of hunger, hospitals become inoperable, cities turn into ruins, and millions of people are deprived of the most basic needs."
"This tragedy is a matter for all humanity. We, as Türkiye, have not remained silent and will not remain silent," he noted.
He praised Japan's approach to international affairs, stating: "Japan's wisdom that prioritizes peace, its commitment to international law, and its conscientious sensitivity are very valuable in this process. When combined with Türkiye's regional influence and humanitarian aid capacity, a dignified and strong partnership will emerge."
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