Turkey, Japan defense chiefs meet as China concerns push Tokyo toward drones
The Japanese defense chief’s visit focuses on defense industry cooperation, including a potential drone deal amid Tokyo's growing concerns over China’s naval activity.
ANKARA — Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler met his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss closer defense ties as Tokyo grows more uneasy with China’s expanding naval reach in the western Pacific.
Guler and Nakatani met amid increasing Japanese interest in Turkish drones, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Guler made a brief statement after more than three hours of talks between the two ministers and their delegations during Nakatani’s visit, the first of its kind.
“Our Japanese friends can be assured that we are ready to make every effort to further advance our cooperation, particularly in the defense industry and military relations,” he said.
