Speech Transcripts

Opening Remarks and Purpose of JICA Chair

Merhaba everyone.

I am very pleased to launch the first "JICA Chair" in Turkey at the Middle East Technical University.

The "JICA Chair" is a program that aims to offer an opportunity for JICA's partner countries to learn about Japan's modernization and reconstruction experiences after World War II.

Historically speaking, Turkey and Japan have a lot in common when it comes to their modernization experiences.

Turkey was the first country to, and Japan was the last country to face the threat of Western Europe.

In the face of these threats, both of our countries undertook modernizing efforts in a wide range of areas, including the judiciary, government administration, military, education, etc.

Just like Japan, Turkey also had its own governance system, which was distinct from that of Western Europe.

There are several studies that have compared the modernization processes of Turkey and Japan, and I myself have a strong interest in Turkey's rich history.

Having achieved reconstruction and rapid economic growth after World War II, Japan has been among the world's top three economic powers for more than half a century.

It has been a key player on various global issues, as well.

Turkey, in comparison, dominated a vast region spread across Europe, Central Asia, and North Africa, and has left a significant mark on world history during the Ottoman Empire.

It has grown rapidly since the early 2000s and is a member of the G20.

In addition, the country has been an increasingly active donor to other developing countries, mainly in Central Asia and Africa.

Since Turkey is now establishing itself as an important global player, I have a great interest how Turkey will address the challenges the world is facing.

Turkey is such a special partner country for JICA, so the launching of the "JICA Chair" in Turkey will have an extremely important meaning for the future of bilateral relations between our two countries.

Historical Relationship between Turkey and Japan

Japan and Turkey have a long history of friendship.

In fact, our friendship is believed to have started in 1890, when coastal villagers from Japan saved 69 Turkish sailors after the Ertugrul, an Ottoman Empire's warship, sank in Japanese waters.

Almost a fully century later, in 1988, Turkey dispatched its airplanes to rescue 215 Japanese citizens who were stranded in Teheran during the Iran-Iraq War and returned them safely to Japan.

Both countries are also earthquake-prone.

In 1999, Japan dispatched emergency relief teams following the Izmit Earthquake in northwestern Turkey.

Likewise, Turkey dispatched emergency relief teams in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

I would like to add that these Turkish teams continued their rescue operations in Japan longer than those of any other country.

Clearly, in keeping with the Turkish saying, ‘Kara gün dostu', Japan and Turkey have deepened their strong bonds of friendship by helping each other during difficult times.

JICA's Contribution in strengthening relationship between Turkey and Japan

Japan's ODA to Turkey began with the dispatch of three Turkish trainees to Japan in 1959.

Since then, we have undertaken cooperation in a wide range of fields.

As an example, Japanese ODA loan projects promote infrastructure development, which is indispensable to Turkish citizens' daily lives.

These projects include the Second Bosphorus Bridge, or Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which is now considered a symbol of friendship between our two countries.

Other examples are the Bosphorus Rail Tube Crossing Project, also known as Marmaray; the Istanbul Water Supply Improvement Project, also known as the Melen Project; and Gerede System, which transports water from Bolu to Ankara by tunnel.

In addition, we have also conducted technical cooperation in such sectors as disaster prevention and mitigation, agriculture, fisheries, and energy.

Background of JICA Chair

Japan was the first non-Western country to modernize.

Throughout this process, Japan did not lose its traditions or identity.

Therefore, I think it would be beneficial to share lessons from Japan's modernization experience, including its successes and failures, with our partner countries, as they seek to grow their economies and advance the well-being of their societies today.

After World War II, Japan achieved rapid economic reconstruction with support from the international community and under a market-based trade regime.

Ever since, Japan has worked hard to strengthen its relationship with neighboring East and Southeast Asian countries through Japanese ODA.

As a result, Asian countries have now achieved surprising levels of social and economic growth.

Based on these experiences, Japan continues to actively extend its ODA to promote the development of other regions around the world.

In 2018, JICA launched the "JICA Development Studies Program."

This program provides young leaders from JICA's partner countries an opportunity to learn about Japan's development experiences while pursuing their studies in their respective fields.

As a part of this program, we have created video material entitled, "Seven Chapters on Japanese Modernization."

Additionally, JICA launched the "JICA Chair" alongside leading universities in each of our partner countries to support the establishment of "Japanese Studies" courses.

I understand there are many universities in Turkey which have a course in Japanese studies.

However, the launching of the "JICA Chair" at the Middle East Technical University has a significant meaning as it enables us to share Japan's development experience with all of you future leaders of industry, government, and academia in Turkey.

I hope that this program will expand to other Turkish universities in the future, as well.

Closing

JICA's vision is "Leading the World with Trust."

With trust at the core of our cooperation, JICA implements ‘cooperation', not ‘aid,' with Turkey under the basis of mutual understanding and respect.

Through the JICA Chair, I hope everyone will benefit from learning about Japan's modernization history and our approach to development cooperation, which is different from Western countries.

We are also eager to learn about Turkey's modernization experience.

I am certain that learning from each other's experiences will promote mutual understanding and further strengthen trust between our two countries.