Recent Japanese visitors to Turkey include Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu and Foreign Minister Taro Nakayama in 1990, and Foreign Minister Yukihiko Ikeda in May 1996, and Director-General of National Land Agency Hisaoki Kamei in January 1998. Turkey is regarded as a country friendly to Japan. A relatively recent event that illustrated the extent of Turkey's friendship with Japan occurred in March 1985 during the Iran-Iraq War. As hostilities escalated, foreign airlines maintained a policy of giving first priority to their own nationals and refused to carry Japanese passengers. Turkey rescued 215 Japanese nationals by making available seats on special Turkish Airlines flights.
Japan recognizes the Republic of Turkey.
Turkey opens an embassy in Japan. Turkey severs relations with Japan. Turkey reopens its embassy in Japan. Japan regards Turkey as one of its most important aid recipients in the Middle East and actively provides assistance. Second, Turkey's need for aid is strong due to its large population.