Japanese companies are showing increased interest in investing in Türkiye, particularly in the manufacturing sector, according to the Japan-Türkiye Business Council.
At the 27th Joint Meeting of the Japan-Türkiye Business Council, held on Oct. 17 in Tokyo, over 150 Turkish and Japanese business leaders gathered to discuss expanding economic ties between the two nations.
Japan-Türkiye trade and investment opportunities
During the meeting, Tsugio Mitsuoka, co-chairman of the Japan-Türkiye Economic Committee, revealed that Japanese companies with existing operations in Türkiye are exploring new investment opportunities. Mitsuoka highlighted that a survey of council members indicated strong interest in further expanding investments in Türkiye.
Ahmet Calik, chairman of the Türkiye-Japan Business Council, extended an invitation to Japan’s business community, encouraging them to increase their presence in Türkiye.
Strengthening bilateral trade
Mustafa Tuzcu, Türkiye’s deputy minister of trade, emphasized the importance of balancing trade between the two nations. He noted that in 2023, trade between Türkiye and Japan surpassed $6 billion, but Türkiye’s imports from Japan were significantly higher than its exports.
Tuzcu expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations for the Türkiye-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement would help create more balanced trade relations and foster deeper economic cooperation.
Focus on energy and clean technology
Energy cooperation was a key topic during the meeting. Ryosuke Kozuki, Japan’s deputy minister of economy, trade and industry, expressed interest in joint investments in renewable energy, particularly in wind and solar projects. He also highlighted Japan’s focus on supporting clean energy initiatives, which align with Türkiye’s upcoming renewable energy tenders.
Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ahmet Berat Conkar called on Japanese companies to participate in these projects, particularly in wind energy systems (RES) and solar energy systems (GES). He stated that further cooperation between Turkish and Japanese companies in the energy sector could yield mutually beneficial results.
Economic partnership and future collaboration
Mitsuoka reiterated Japan’s desire for the completion of the Economic Partnership Agreement with Türkiye, emphasizing the positive impact it could have on future trade and investment. Both sides expressed optimism about the agreement, viewing it as a vital step toward enhancing bilateral economic ties.
The event concluded with the signing of several cooperation agreements, including partnerships between Calık Enerji and Mitsubishi Corporation, as well as between DB Tarımsal Enerji and Mitsubishi Corporation, reflecting the ongoing efforts to strengthen energy cooperation.
