Since the 1980's, in particular, there has been wide - ranging interaction between the two countries, including visits by eminent persons, as well as economic and cultural exchange. This exchange has been increasing since a visit to Turkey by Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe in 1983. In 1990, Japan and Turkey celebrated the centenary of the relationship. There have been various exchanges of visits by eminent persons, such as the visits of Prince and Princess Mikasa, Prince and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa to Turkey. 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, and Special Envoy Kanezo Muraoka in October 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 Airline flights. According to surveys conducted by the Embassy of Japan in Turkey, there were 910 Japanese residents in Turkey as of October 1996. Processed foods, carpets, leaf tobacco, iron ore, iron steel, clothing Activities of Japanese Companies in Turkey Investments of private companies in Turkey have been significantly increasing recently, due to the facts that Turkey has a great potential and very strategic location in its region.