The Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced Defense Minister Nakatani's emergency press conference held in Istanbul on August 20, 2025, regarding the results of the Japan-Turkey Defense Ministers' Meeting and Turkey defense industry inspection.
Historical Significance of the Japan-Turkey Defense Ministers' Meeting
Defense Minister Nakatani made the first visit by a Japanese Defense Minister to Turkey, conducting the Japan-Turkey Defense Ministers' Meeting with Defense Minister Güler. Based on the Letter of Intent on Defense Cooperation and Exchange signed in 2012, they confirmed that high-level exchanges, unit-to-unit exchanges, and educational exchanges have progressed, agreeing to further expand defense cooperation through this meeting. They agreed to hold defense practitioner consultations to discuss specific cooperation areas and decided to initiate discussions on cooperation possibilities in the defense technology and equipment sector.
Concrete Development of Defense Industry Cooperation
The meeting also included discussions with the Turkish Defense Industry Agency President, exchanging views on potential cooperation possibilities in Japan-Turkey defense equipment and technology cooperation. Three important directions were confirmed: First, Turkish interest in Japan's mine-sweeping capabilities; second, Japan's shared interest in Turkey's unmanned aircraft industry; and third, the decision to establish working-level consultations between the Turkish Defense Industry Agency and Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to examine these cooperation possibilities by studying mutual export control systems and industrial capabilities.
Assessment of Turkish Defense Industry's Technological Capabilities
Minister Nakatani inspected the unmanned aircraft manufacturer TUSAS and naval shipyards, witnessing firsthand the results of Turkey's defense industry advancement in domestic production. Turkey possesses the second-largest ground forces in NATO and is actively promoting defense equipment domesticization while advancing military modernization. The Minister evaluated that "Turkey has demonstrated that it can be done through pursuing domesticization" and highly praised Turkey's technological capabilities and industry development capabilities in implementing defense equipment cooperation relationships with many countries.
Significance in Middle East Regional Strategy
This visit was part of a Middle East region tour covering three countries: Djibouti, Turkey, and Jordan. The background is that the Middle East region is a geopolitical hub connecting Asia and Europe, extremely important for international peace and stability from the perspectives of stable sea lane utilization and energy/economic considerations. Discussions on the Ukraine situation were also conducted, with Japan explaining its support achievements including provision of over 100 Self-Defense Force vehicles to the Ukrainian military and acceptance of wounded Ukrainian soldiers at the Self-Defense Force Central Hospital, stating plans to enhance future support.
Future Working-Level Cooperation
At the press conference, questions were asked about GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) next-generation fighter aircraft, with responses indicating that while it is designed with cooperation with allies and like-minded countries in mind for the Japan-UK-Italy three-nation partnership, explanations to various countries are possible, though detailed responses were withheld considering relationships with counterpart countries. The policy to follow up on these results at the working level and advance concrete cooperation was indicated, drawing a concrete roadmap for deepening defense cooperation with traditional friendly nation Turkey in various fields.
The article demonstrates Japan's strategic shift from traditional Japan-U.S. alliance-centered defense cooperation to expansion of technology and equipment cooperation with NATO countries, aiming to strengthen defense industry foundations through building mutually complementary relationships particularly in unmanned aircraft technology and mine-sweeping technology.