It’s our great pleasure to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan. This milestone is not merely a testament to the longevity of our diplomatic engagement but a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship, mutual respect and shared values that characterise our bilateral relationship over the past century.
Our historic ties date back to the late 19th century when the tragic sinking of the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul off the coast of Japan in 1890 marked the beginning of a special relationship.
One of the cornerstones of our partnership is the strong economic ties that have developed between our countries. Japanese engagement in Turkey has played a significant role in economic development, particularly in the fields of technology and infrastructure. This economic collaboration has also fostered greater people-to-people connections and cultural exchange.
A pivotal role in enhancing the Türkiye-Japan partnership has been played by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Co-operations by JICA, which we believe quite impactful, have been shown particularly in areas such as disaster management, infrastructure development and human resource development.
It’s our great pleasure to celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan.
Daisuke Watanabe, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Türkiye
One of the characteristic examples of JICA’s involvement in Türkiye is cooperation in disaster management. Japan’s experience and expertise in earthquake preparedness and response has been tried to be applied to Türkiye, a country also prone to seismic activity.
In infrastructure development, JICA’s cooperation has contributed to the modernization of Türkiye’s infrastructures. The construction of bridges, highways and energy facilities has improved connectivity and energy security, facilitated economic growth and contributed to improvement of the quality of life for Turkish citizens.
Human resource development is another area where JICA has been trying to make a meaningful impact. Through training and educational opportunities for Turkish governmental officials and professionals in various fields, JICA has tried to build a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and development in Türkiye. This investment in human capital is a key component of our long-term development strategy and a testament to the enduring value of our partnership.
JICA has been working as the Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance) implementing agency, in collaboration with Turkish people for a long time. As we celebrate this historic milestone, with a belief that our current cooperative activities will lead to further trust between two countries for the next 100 years. We will make every effort to contribute to strengthening the relationship between Türkiye and Japan.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Turkey Office
Uğur Mumcu Cad. No:88 K:3 B Block
Gaziosmanpaşa, Ankara 06700
