Japan and Turkey Agree to Work Closely on Middle East Conflict
Japan and Turkey have agreed to maintain close cooperation over the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussing the situation during a meeting in New York.
The meeting took place on September 22 on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The two leaders discussed the Middle East alongside broader bilateral relations, including economic, educational and defense cooperation. Both governments said they intend to remain in close communication on international issues.
Meeting Held During UN General Assembly
Takaichi and Erdogan met for approximately 15 minutes during the Japanese prime minister's visit to New York. The talks followed a telephone conversation between the two leaders in August and provided an opportunity for them to discuss developments in the Middle East directly.
According to Japan's Prime Minister's Office, Takaichi welcomed the opportunity to meet Erdogan in person and said Japan wanted to raise its strategic partnership with Turkey to a higher level. Erdogan likewise expressed his intention to expand cooperation between the two countries across several areas.
Focus on De-escalation in the Middle East
The Middle East conflict was a central issue in the discussions. Takaichi highlighted the importance of rapidly reducing tensions and stabilizing the region, while also stressing the need to preserve safe and unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait is a major international shipping route and is particularly important to global energy markets. Japan has been concerned about disruption to maritime traffic and the wider consequences for energy supplies, trade and transportation costs.
Japan's government said Takaichi expressed appreciation for Turkey's efforts to play a mediating role in the regional crisis. She also emphasized that the international community, including Japan, needs to work toward an early reduction in tensions.
Turkey Seeks a Role in Regional Diplomacy
Turkey has continued to engage with countries across the Middle East as the conflict has developed. Ankara has sought to maintain diplomatic contacts and promote efforts aimed at reducing tensions, while also discussing the consequences of the conflict for regional security.
During the meeting with Takaichi, Erdogan outlined Turkey's wider efforts to promote peace and said the country was also focused on the reconstruction of areas affected by war, including Syria, Gaza and Ukraine. He also discussed opportunities for greater cooperation with Japan in energy, infrastructure and defense.
The Japanese government has similarly increased its emphasis on diplomatic engagement. In her address to the United Nations General Assembly, Takaichi said Japan would continue diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving an early de-escalation of the Middle East situation and maintaining the maritime order in the region.
Strait of Hormuz Becomes a Major Concern
The security of the Strait of Hormuz has become an important concern for Japan because of its significance to international energy supplies. Japanese officials have stressed that vessels should be able to pass through the waterway freely and safely without additional costs caused by the conflict.
Takaichi raised the issue directly with Erdogan during their meeting. Japan's position is that maintaining safe navigation through the strait is important not only for Middle Eastern security but also for the stability of the wider global economy.
In her UN address, Takaichi also identified the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as another strategically important waterway where stability is needed. Japan said it would continue working with relevant countries and the International Maritime Organization on maintaining maritime security in the region.
Japan and Turkey Also Discuss Bilateral Relations
The meeting was not limited to the Middle East. Japan and Turkey are also seeking to expand their strategic partnership in areas ranging from education and trade to defense and technology.
One significant development is the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University, which is scheduled to open in October. Takaichi said Japan wants to use the university to deepen educational cooperation between the two countries.
The leaders also discussed efforts to strengthen economic ties. Japan is seeking the early conclusion of an Economic Partnership Agreement with Turkey, while Erdogan said the two countries have the potential to increase bilateral trade in a balanced manner over a relatively short period.
Defense Cooperation Also on the Agenda
Defense cooperation was another area discussed by the two leaders. Japan said it wants to deepen collaboration with Turkey in defense equipment and technology, while Erdogan identified the defense industry as one of the areas where the two countries could expand cooperation.
The discussions reflect a broader effort by both governments to strengthen their relationship beyond traditional economic and diplomatic ties. Energy, infrastructure, education and technology are also being considered as areas for closer cooperation.
Erdogan also invited Takaichi to attend the COP31 Leaders' Summit, which Turkey is scheduled to host in November. The invitation provides another potential opportunity for the two governments to maintain high-level contact.
Japan Emphasizes International Cooperation
The discussions with Turkey come as Japan seeks a more active diplomatic role in responding to international conflicts. In her UN speech, Takaichi said Japan had established a government unit dedicated to peace mediation and would seek to contribute more actively to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Japan has also highlighted the importance of secure energy supplies and resilient supply chains as conflicts disrupt international trade. The government has said instability in the Middle East could affect fuel, chemical and medical supplies as well as broader commercial activity.
For Tokyo, the Middle East is therefore both a diplomatic and economic concern. Any prolonged disruption to major shipping routes could have consequences well beyond the region, particularly for countries dependent on international energy and maritime trade.
Leaders Agree to Maintain Close Contact
The meeting between Takaichi and Erdogan ended with both leaders agreeing to continue close communication. Their discussions combined immediate concerns about the Middle East with longer-term plans to strengthen Japan-Turkey relations.
The two countries have different geographic positions and foreign-policy priorities, but both governments have an interest in maintaining international trade routes and addressing regional instability through diplomatic engagement.
With the Middle East conflict continuing to affect regional security, energy supplies and international shipping, Japan and Turkey are expected to remain in contact as diplomatic efforts develop. Their latest meeting established cooperation on the crisis as one part of a wider relationship that Tokyo and Ankara are seeking to expand across economic, educational and security fields.
Source: Japan Today
