2003 Year of Turkey in Japan

The relations between Turkey and Japan are of a special nature. For more than a century these relations have been based on our countries’ mutual respect, affinity for each other and solidarity in times of need. At the root of these relations, in addition to the cultural closeness between the two societies, also lie the common modern values of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as a shared passion for international peace and stability.
Much has been achieved so far in building upon this solid foundation of emotional closeness between the two countries through the implementation of cooperative projects. In our bilateral relations, which luckily enjoy no political conflicts whatsoever, cooperation in the areas of finance and investment, and the gradual increase in cultural and tourist activities are especially noteworthy. However, it is also a fact that we have not reached the full extent of our potential cooperation. For this reason, we have to jointly endeavor to develop to our mutual benefit cooperation in the fields of economy, commerce and tourism.
The most efficient way of developing cooperation is through deepening our knowledge of one another. Within this framework, the designation of year 2003 as the "Year of Turkey in Japan" constitutes a great opportunity. During this year, we will have the chance to better introduce the history of Turkish-Japanese relations, aspects of the multidimensional and colorful culture of Turkey, the enormous economic potential and the ever diversifying commercial capacity of our country to the Japanese people.
With the belief that the "Year of Turkey in Japan" will serve to the benefit of both countries, I express my gratitude to all those who have contributed to the organization and success of the "Year," and convey my best wishes to our Japanese friends.

*Abdullah Gül is currently the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey

This is "The Year of Turkey" in Japan. Throughout 2003, Turkey-related events will be held across Japan, particularly focused on various aspects of Turkey's rich culture, as well as highlighting touristic, commercial and investment possibilities. The people of Turkey have a deep sense of affinity with Japan. May the people of Japan use this special year to broaden our experience of Turkey's people and culture, and may that in turn serve to strengthen the goodwill and friendship between our nations.
Japan and Turkey are separated by a great geographical distance, being located one at the eastern and the other at the western edges of Asia, yet history provides many examples of cultural exchange between the two nations, both over land and by sea. As Japan moved toward modernization following the 1868 Meiji Restoration, we began to be interested in the cultures of distant Europe. Representing the Imperial Household, Prince and Princess Akihito Komatsu visited the nations of Europe over the course of years. In 1887 in Istanbul, in a gesture of friendship, they conferred the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysantheum on the Ottoman Sultan Abdühamit II on behalf of Emperor Meiji.
Responding, Sultan Abdühamit II bestowed on Emperor Meiji the Ornate Grand Order of the Ottoman Empire. The naval frigate Ertuğrul delivered the honor to Japan, but on its return voyage, was caught in a typhoon and sank in Kushimoto Bay off Wakayama Prefecture, September 16,1890. Nearby villagers worked desperately, but were able to rescue only 69 sailors. Admiral Osman Paşa died in the disaster along, with the remainder of his crew of more than 600. The Japanese government sent two naval vessels to take the survivors back home to Turkey.
A memorial was erected near the site of the accident, Kashinozaki in Oshima, Kushimoto, and memorial services are still held there every year. Another such monument stands in Mersin, Turkey. My son, Prince Tomohito, told me that he had been deeply moved, some years ago, when he visited that monument and found there bottles filled with soil and water which were collected in and delivered from Kashinozaki. Kushimoto has for a long time maintained sister-city relationships with the Turkish cities of Mersin and Yakakent.
The Republic of Turkey was founded after World War I. In 1923, at the Lausanne Peace Conference, Turkish Prime Minister Inönü expressed his desire to establish diplomatic relations with Japan. This was fulfilled in 1924. Then, in 1926, The Japan-Turkey Society was established, and in 1929, my elder brother, Prince Nobuhito Takamatsu, assumed the patronage of the Society.
In 1931, Prince and Princess Takamatsu visited Turkey. Both went initially to Istanbul. The Prince then went on to the new capital, Ankara, to visit Kemal Atatürk, the first President of the Republic of Turkey. A photo of them together from that visit hangs in my room.
The two countries were on opposite sides in World War II, but friendly relations were reestablished after the San Francisco Peace Treaty. In 1971, a new Japan-Turkey Society was established, taking over from its predecessor. It embarked on a vigorous program of activities to reflect the new era. The society publishes a newsletter, "Anatolia News", which features fascinating articles on Turkey from many perspectives, including history, traditions, language, politics, economics, science and technology, sports and cuisine. In 1996, the society published a volume entitled "Seventy Years of The Japan-Turkey Society", which gathered together items first printed in "Anatolia News." I have been the Honorary President of the society since 1991.
In April 1963, my wife and I accepted an invitation, and visited Turkey for the first time. We began by visiting the mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk and refreshed our memories about the life of the great President. While there, we were also deeply moved to see on display gifts that he had received from Prince Takamatsu.
In 1986, we accepted another invitation to visit. It was "Japan Week" in Turkey. We attended numerous events and still have warm memories of our stay. Most memorable was a tea ceremony conducted in the front garden of Topkapi Palace by the young Master of the Urasenke School and his wife Masako, our second daughter. A fireworks display over the Bosphorus Strait was so impressive that we still talk about it.
On that same trip, I had the opportunity to preside over a ceremony marking the start of an archeological excavation organized by the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Japan. The excavation was conducted at the ruins of Kaman Kalehöyük, a site professor Tahsin Özgüç had recommended be explored.
In 1989, I had the unexpected honor of receiving the 4th Atatürk International Peace Prize. I feel this expresses the feelings of trust and friendship of the Turkish government and people towards the people of Japan, and would here like to once more express my deep appreciation for this honor.
Our next visit to Turkey was in 1993. This time, I presided over the inauguration of a Japanese garden that had been designed on the site that houses the Kaman Kalehöyük archeological team. The garden combined numerous trees native to Turkey with cherry trees and maples brought from Japan. A waterfall flowed over the stones into a pond in which fish had been relocated from a nearby river.
A joyous aspect of this project was the number Turkish people coming daily to visit the Japanese garden. Each year, during the excavation period, 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the garden, which has unexpectedly become a rich venue for contact between our two peoples.
After that, we were invited to Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, which was starting up a program of Japanese-language teaching. There, I had the honor of speaking about "Cherry Blossoms in Japanese Culture" and planting cherry trees.
Excavations at Kaman Kalehöyük continue year after year, uncovering cultural artifacts and relics of ancient cultures such as the Phrygians, Hittites and Assyrians. These discoveries continue to make important contributions to our understanding of ancient Anatolian history. Some of the results are described in publications such as the Middle Eastern Culture Center's Anatolian Archeological Studies.
The excavation team initially consisted of Japanese scholars only, but today scholars from other countries also participate, making the project more of an international effort. One of our objectives for the "Year of Turkey in Japan" will be to raise funds in Japan in support of this international archeological effort. We have plans to construct a building on the site the team uses, to house the Anatolia Archeological Research Institute.
Exhibitions on the cultures of many nations have been held in Japan since the end of World War II. Those focusing on Turkey have included the 1960 "Ancient Turkish Art" exhibition, the 1985 "Turkish Culture" exhibition, and the 1988 "The Treasures of Topkapi Palace" exhibition. Just last year, the "Great Turkey Exhibition" traveled throughout Japan. This year, NHK will sponsor the "Three Great Empires in Turkey" exhibition, which will feature the treasures of the Hittite, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We look forward with enthusiasm to visiting this exhibition.
Economic cooperation and exchanges between Turkey and Japan have also grown dramatically and include Japanese government loans for projects such as the Hasan Uğurlu hydroelectric power plant and the Golden Horn Bridge. The Second Bosphorus Bridge is a wonderful symbol of economic cooperation between Japan and Turkey. The Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) established the Japan-Turkey Economic Committee, which has promoted annual exchanges between the business communities of the two countries since 1987.
At the political level, in 1984 the Diet established the Japan-Turkey Parliamentarian League to promote a deepening of relations between the Parliamentarians as well as goodwill and friendship between the two nations.
It is my most sincere hope that during 2003, the "Year of Turkey", the Japanese people will enthusiastically attend the many events planned to deepen their understanding of the political, economic, historical and cultural aspects of Turkey. Through these activities, may the seeds of deep and long-enduring friendship between the citizens of Japan and Turkey be sown and nurtured.