Turkish-Japanese relations in 2023 in the context of the February 6 Earthquakes

Öz

Turkish-Japanese relations are historically rooted in the tragedy of the Ertuğrul Frigate disaster in 1890. Official relations between modern Turkey and Japan began with the implementation of the Treaty of Lausanne in 1924. Although briefly interrupted during World War II, relations gained momentum, particularly in the 1980s. With the dawn of the 21st century, bilateral relations flourished, leading to Turkey and Japan becoming strategic partners in 2013. One of the most noteworthy aspects of Turkish-Japanese relations is their mutual aid during disasters such as earthquakes, despite the geographical distance between them. Throughout history, events like the 1890 Ertuğrul Frigate disaster, the 1999 İzmit earthquake, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the 2011 earthquakes in Turkey, the February 6th, 2023 earthquakes, and the 2024 Noto earthquake have demonstrated Ankara and Tokyo's willingness to extend assistance to each other during times of crisis. This study examines Turkish-Japanese relations in the context of the earthquake disaster that occurred in Turkey on February 6th, 2023, described as the disaster of the century, which claimed the lives of 53,537 people and injured 107,213 others. Using official statements from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as primary sources, this research concludes that the February 6th earthquakes, described as the disaster of the century, have recently dominated the agenda of Turkish-Japanese relations.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• February 6th Earthquakes
• Disaster of the Century
• Turkish-Japanese Relations
• Humanitarian Aid

6 Şubat Depremleri bağlamında 2023 yılı Türk-Japon ilişkileri

Öz

Türk-Japon ilişkileri tarihsel olarak 1890 yılında yaşanan Ertuğrul Firkateyni faciasına dayanmaktadır. Modern Türkiye Cumhuriyeti ile Japonya arasındaki ilişkiler ise 1924 yılında Lozan antlaşmasının yürürlüğe girmesiyle resmi olarak başlamıştır. İkinci Dünya Savaşı nedeniyle kısa bir süreliğine kesilen ilişkiler, özellikle 1980’li yıllarda ivme kazanmaya başlamıştır. 2000’li yıllarla birlikte gelişen ikili ilişkilerle birlikte 2013 yılında Türkiye ve Japonya stratejik ortak olmuştur. Türk-Japon ilişkilerinde dikkatleri çeken en önemli nokta ise iki ülke her ne kadar Avrasya kıtasının iki ayrı ucunda yer alıyor olsa da deprem gibi felaketlerde daima birbirlerinin yardımına koşmuştur. Tarihsel bağlamda 1890 Ertuğrul Firkateyni faciası, 1999 Marmara Depremi, 2011 Büyük Doğu Japonya Depremi, 2011 Türkiye depremleri, 6 Şubat 2023 depremleri ve 2024 Noto depremi coğrafi olarak uzaklıklarına rağmen Ankara ve Tokyo’nun birbirilerine deprem gibi felaketlerde daima yardım elini uzattığını göstermiştir. Bu çalışmada ise 6 Şubat 2023 tarihinde Türkiye’de meydana gelen, asrın felaketi olarak da tanımlanan, 53 bin 537 kişinin hayatını kaybettiği ve 107 bin 213 kişinin yaralandığı deprem felaketi bağlamında 2023 yılı Türk-Japon ilişkileri incelenmiştir. Japonya Dışişleri Bakanlığı tarafından Türkiye-Japonya ilişkileri hakkında resmi olarak yapılmış açıklamaların birincil kaynak olarak kullanıldığı bu araştırmada, asrın felaketi olarak da tanımlanan 6 Şubat depremlerinin son dönemde Türk-Japon ilişkilerinin ağırlıklı olarak gündemini oluşturduğu sonucuna varılmıştır

Anahtar Kelimeler

• 6 Şubat depremleri
• Asrın Felaketi
• Türk-Japon İlişkileri
• İnsani Yardım

Kaynakça

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