Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated today: "I am currently in New York, attending the United Nations General Assembly, where I held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a longstanding key player in the Middle East. This marks the first in-person meeting between our two leaders since their telephone conversation in August, further strengthening mutual trust."
On the situation in the Middle East, she emphasized that achieving early stabilization across the region and ensuring the free and secure navigation of the Strait of Hormuz without incurring additional costs is of critical importance. President Erdoğan subsequently expressed support for Japan’s position, and both sides agreed to deepen cooperation.
The bilateral relationship has been described as “a pair of wings supporting vast Asia, positioned on either side.” The talks confirmed plans to advance collaboration across broad areas including education, economy, and defense, elevating the strategic partnership between the two nations to a new level. Going forward, I will work closely with President Erdoğan to jointly contribute to stability throughout the Middle East.
Commentary: This diplomatic engagement reflects the evolving foreign policy approaches of middle powers amid shifting global dynamics. Both Japan and Turkey seek greater international influence beyond their current standing—a common ground enabling dialogue. Japan aims to transition from an economic power to a more prominent political actor, while Turkey seeks to solidify its status as a regional leader. Their interests intersect in meaningful ways. Japan values Turkey’s unique transcontinental geographic position, viewing it as a potential bridge to access the Middle East, secure energy transit routes, expand diplomatic networks, and lay groundwork for a bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Erdoğan, for his part, welcomes closer ties with Japan—not only to attract Japanese capital and technological investment but also to strengthen Turkey’s presence and influence in Asia through an additional strategic partner.
Yet deeper constraints on cooperation remain difficult to overcome. Historically, defense consultations between Japan and Turkey have stalled over export regulations governing arms transfers—Japan imposes strict restrictions on third-party retransfer of defense equipment, which conflict with Turkey’s ambitions in international arms trade. More significantly, Turkey adheres to a foreign policy rooted in full autonomy and pragmatic realism. While it endorses the general principle of Security Council reform, this does not imply unconditional support for Japan’s candidacy for permanent membership in any formal voting process.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877093800228169/
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