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Japan’s Defense Minister Gen Nakatani arrived in Turkiye on August 19, 2025, for an official visit aimed at deepening defense and security ties between the two countries. Nakatani held detailed discussions with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said the talks focused on expanding cooperation in the defense sector, with both ministers reviewing the current state of relations and exploring new areas for collaboration, including the possible supply of Turkish-made drones.

While the possible procurement of Turkish-made drones was mentioned, officials highlighted that the scope of the talks went well beyond individual systems. The meeting reflected a shared desire to build a more comprehensive defense partnership that could include industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and wider consultations on regional security challenges.

The tone of the discussions suggested that both governments see long-term potential in strengthening their defense relationship, rather than limiting the visit to technical procurement issues.

The high-level nature of the meeting also underscored the political significance of the visit. Nakatani’s trip marks the first by a Japanese defense minister to Turkiye in several years, signaling renewed momentum in bilateral relations.

For Tokyo, the talks provide an opportunity to build trust with a NATO member that has developed considerable defense capabilities, while for Ankara, the meeting offers a chance to showcase its ability to engage with major Asian partners on matters of security and defense industry cooperation.

Visit to Turkish defense facilities

As part of his official program, Nakatani is scheduled to tour a Turkish naval shipyard on August 20. The visit also includes possible visits to Turkish defense companies and facilities, including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and drone maker Baykar.

The visit will allow Japanese officials to directly observe Turkiye’s defense production facilities and gain a better understanding of its industrial capacity.

According to the ministry, the inspection is designed to give Japan firsthand exposure to Turkiye’s ability to design and manufacture advanced defense systems, including naval platforms and unmanned technologies.

📌Milli Savunma Bakanı Yaşar Güler, Japonya Savunma Bakanı Nakatani Gen ile bir araya geldi.

📎https://t.co/oLHmWDriSp pic.twitter.com/ZREeXXaJ7n

— DefenseHere (@defensehere_tr) August 19, 2025

For Ankara, the shipyard visit is an important opportunity to present the progress it has made in developing a self-reliant defense sector. Over the past two decades, Turkiye has expanded its indigenous production of armored vehicles, warships, drones, and missile systems, seeking to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers while becoming a competitive exporter. Inviting Nakatani to observe these capabilities reflects Ankara’s confidence in its industry and its intention to project itself as a credible partner for advanced defense cooperation.

From Tokyo’s perspective, the visit provides a chance to evaluate whether Turkish technologies and production models can align with Japan’s defense modernization plans. Japan has been actively searching for reliable partners as it adapts to new security threats in East Asia, and observing Turkiye’s facilities firsthand offers valuable insight into potential areas of compatibility. Even if large-scale acquisitions are not immediately concluded, the inspection lays the groundwork for industrial dialogue and possible future collaboration.

Focus on Bayraktar UAVs

According to diplomatic sources, the Japanese defense minister’s agenda also includes meetings with officials from Turkish defense companies such as Baykar and TAI. Nakatani’s visit is expected to feature a technical review of the Bayraktar TB2’s capabilities.

The Japanese government has been analyzing lessons from the war in Ukraine, where the TB2 played a high-profile role. In June, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposed that the TB2 could serve as a model for preparing for next-generation warfare.

Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar has highlighted the upcoming TB3 UAV, which features foldable wings, as potentially suitable for Japan’s Izumo-class carriers. Such a design would allow more UAVs to operate from a single platform, aligning with Tokyo’s goal of expanding operational flexibility.

Japan explores UAV options

Reports from Japanese media have indicated that the Self-Defense Forces have tested the Bayraktar TB2 alongside Israel’s Heron-2 UAVs, noting the TB2’s relatively low cost, agility, and battlefield success. Baykar has also unveiled the TB2T-AI, an AI-enhanced variant capable of reaching altitudes of more than 30,000 feet, which is reportedly under Japanese review.

In addition to Baykar’s platforms, Japan has shown interest in STM’s Kargu kamikaze drones. STM CEO Özgür Güleryüz has confirmed that Japanese officials have inspected the system at several international exhibitions and expressed interest in its potential role for Japan’s defense planning.

Strategic significance of the visit

The visit carries broader strategic weight beyond defense procurement. Japan’s engagement with Turkiye highlights Tokyo’s effort to diversify its partnerships at a time when its security environment is increasingly complex.

Japan is strengthening its defense posture and expanding cooperation with partners, citing increasing threats from China in the East China Sea and North Korea’s continued missile development. By reaching out to Turkiye, a NATO ally with growing influence in multiple regions, Japan is signaling its readiness to build ties outside its immediate neighborhood.

For Ankara, the visit provides diplomatic value as well. Turkiye has sought to expand its global defense footprint by engaging with partners beyond Europe and the Middle East, and a Japanese ministerial visit demonstrates Ankara’s appeal to Asian partners.

Turkiye’s balancing act between NATO obligations, regional initiatives, and independent foreign policy has often placed it at the center of complex geopolitical dynamics. Establishing closer dialogue with Japan allows Ankara to diversify its own partnerships, while reinforcing its image as a country whose defense industry has global reach.

Nakatani’s presence in Ankara underscores Japan’s recognition of Turkiye’s growing role in international defense cooperation. It also highlights how bilateral ties are moving beyond diplomacy and trade into more strategic domains. Analysts note that even if tangible agreements are not finalized immediately, the political signal of the visit could pave the way for more consistent defense engagement in the future.

Prospects for defense cooperation

Both sides appear committed to continuing discussions on potential areas of defense collaboration. While much international attention has focused on Japan’s possible interest in Turkish drones, the visit is expected to lay the foundation for a broader framework of cooperation. Officials indicated that areas such as maritime security, defense logistics, and joint research initiatives could become important components of future dialogue.

For Japan, developing partnerships with countries that have demonstrated success in producing cost-effective and combat-proven systems is increasingly relevant. Turkiye’s rapid progress in defense manufacturing provides an appealing model of self-sufficiency and adaptability. At the same time, Ankara sees Japan as a partner that can bring advanced technological expertise and financial resources to the table, making cooperation potentially mutually beneficial.

Nakatani’s stop in Turkiye is part of a wider regional tour from August 17 to 22 that includes visits to Djibouti and Jordan. Together, the trip reflects Tokyo’s broader strategy of building partnerships across regions that are strategically significant for Japan’s security interests. By including Turkiye in this itinerary, Nakatani has reinforced the view that Ankara is an important partner for Japan’s evolving defense diplomacy, with prospects for long-term cooperation that extend beyond any single platform or system.