Policy, Perception and Power: A Century of Turkish-Japanese Engagement toward Continental Synergy

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Levent S.

Perceptions of Japan in a Bipolar World after 1945, Budapest, Macaristan, 31 Mart 2026, (Yayınlanmadı)

• Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Yayınlanmadı
• Basıldığı Şehir: Budapest
• Basıldığı Ülke: Macaristan
• Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Across the Turkic world, Japan is uniquely perceived as a partner with a “clean historical record”, a view that distinguishes it from other major Powers, like Russia. In Türkiye, this positive perception has transitioned from Cold War-era solidarity into a formal strategic partnership based on mutual trust. Within Central Asia, Japan’s “Silk Road Diplomacy” has established its image as a soft-power mediator and a strategic alternative to other regional hegemonic influences. This policy focuses on fostering “pro-Japan” states to secure energy supplies and enhance Japan’s presence in a multipolar Eurasia. While its current engagement often remains largely rhetorical, there is a strong potential for Japan to increase institutional cooperation with the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). Such a shift may increasingly be framed through shared cultural identities, specifically referencing the Ural-Altaic theory, to bolster Japan’s strategic autonomy. This evolving trajectory suggests a more comprehensive and permanent Japanese role in the Turan Corridor.