Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for his first overseas visit since taking office, launching official talks with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler to expand bilateral defense industry cooperation.
The two ministers agreed to step up collaboration in defense equipment and technology, pursue joint projects in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and establish a permanent dialogue mechanism.
“We want to further strengthen defense cooperation with Turkey in order to respond to the global security environment,” Nakatani told reporters after the meeting.
Güler said Turkey would “make every effort to advance defense industry and military relations.”
Turkish drones under consideration
Turkey’s combat and reconnaissance drones, including the Bayraktar TB2, have drawn international attention after their battlefield use in Ukraine. Japan, which plans to expand the role of unmanned systems across its land, air and naval forces, is weighing Turkish drones as part of its future defense plans.
Japanese media reported that the Ministry of Defense aims to integrate UAVs into a new coastal defense strategy by 2027.
Historical ties highlighted
The meeting also referenced symbolic moments in bilateral relations, including the 135th anniversary of the 1890 Ertuğrul frigate disaster and the 40th anniversary of Turkey’s evacuation of Japanese citizens during the Iran-Iraq war.
Güler noted that 2025 marks the 101st anniversary of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Japan.
Visits to Baykar and TUSAŞ
As part of his program, Nakatani toured Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), naval shipyards, and Baykar facilities, where he was received by Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar and CEO Haluk Bayraktar. The delegation was also briefed by Haluk Görgün, head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Agency.
Baykar said in a statement on social media, “We were honored to host Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and his delegation.”
Regional tour
Nakatani’s trip to Turkey is part of a regional tour from Aug. 17 to 22 that also includes Djibouti and Jordan.
