Japan’s FM to visit Turkey, other regional countries

ANKARA

The Japanese foreign minister will pay an official visit to Turkey and other countries in the Middle East from Sunday, with regional security and response to the coronavirus pandemic on the agenda.

Toshimitsu Motegi said he will tour Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Qatar from Aug. 15-24.

"The peace and stability of the Middle East region is extremely important for the international community including Japan," he told a news conference in the capital Tokyo, which was also broadcast online.

“During this visit, I will once again underscore Japan's commitment to the Middle East by our long years of contribution to the peace and prosperity of the region and by forging robust relations."

Motegi said he will have a "frank exchange" of opinions on the regional situation and "work closely with" regional countries "to promote the stability of the region."

Turkey and Japan are close allies and enjoy strong bilateral ties. The friendship dates back to the Ottoman era.

Diplomatic relations began in 1924, and the first Turkish mission in Japan was established in 1925.

Political relations were upgraded to the level of strategic partnership in 2013.