Parliament Speaker Kurtulmus meets with Turkish community in Japan

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus met with representatives of the Turkish community in Japan.

During his address, Kurtulmus highlighted Türkiye’s strategic direction and its role in shaping global developments.

“Not only in the Middle East but across a vast geography within our sphere of influence, Türkiye’s future trajectory and contributions to the world system are matters of interest for both friends and foes alike,” he stated.

Diplomatic engagements with Japanese leadership

Kurtulmus also reflected on his official meetings with Japanese leaders, underscoring the significance of Turkish-Japanese relations.

“Crown Prince Akishino and Princess received my wife and me. Yesterday, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako also welcomed us. These are not just gestures of personal courtesy but a testament to the respect and admiration Japan holds for Türkiye,” he said.

As part of his visit, Kurtulmus engaged with key Japanese institutions, including think tanks and cultural organizations. He delivered a speech at the Sasakawa Foundation, discussing Türkiye’s Middle East policies and efforts to promote global peace.

He also met with officials from Japan’s Parliament, including House of Representatives Speaker Fukushiro Nukaga and House of Councillors President Sekiguchi Masakazu.

Strengthening Türkiye-Japan relations

Reflecting on historical ties between the two nations, Kurtulmus noted shared experiences of mutual assistance in times of crisis, including Türkiye’s efforts to evacuate Japanese citizens during the Iran-Iraq War and Japan‘s swift response to Türkiye’s earthquakes.

“These moments of solidarity have deepened our bond. The recent state visits and our meetings this week will further reinforce the strong foundations of Türkiye-Japan relations,” he stated.

The visit aligns with Türkiye’s broader “Re-engaging with Asia” initiative, which seeks to enhance economic, political, and cultural cooperation with Asian nations.

Kurtulmus expressed confidence that Türkiye’s engagement with Japan and other Asian partners would continue to expand in the coming years.

Media engagement

In a live interview with Turkish media outlets, Kurtulmus addressed various political topics, including Türkiye’s domestic stability and global positioning.

“This visit underscores Türkiye’s importance in Asia and globally. Following President Erdogan’s recent visits to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan, our presence in Japan further solidifies Türkiye’s influence in the region,” he noted.