Turkish state ministers Kursad Tuzmen and Mehmet Simsek as well as high-level bureaucrats will accompany Gul in Japan.

Turkish-Japanese relations had started after Turkish Ertugrul Frigate sank on September 16th, 1890 on its return from Japan. Ertugrul Frigate had been sent to Japan to present a medal of Ottoman Empire to Japanese emperor. Admiral Osman Pasa and 581 sailors died in the disaster. 69 survivors of the accident were taken care by Japanese government and then brought back to Turkey by a Japanese delegation.

The relations between Turkey and Japan strengthened when 215 Japanese citizens, who were trapped in Tehran during Iran-Iraq war in 1985, were rescued with a private flight held by Turkish Airlines hours before the city was bombed.

Year 2003 was celebrated as "Turkish Year" in Japan. Turkey also declared 2010 "Japanese Year".

Japan recognized Republic of Turkey on August 6th, 1924.

Gul, during his visit, will focus on economy and commerce. Turkish-Japanese Business Forum will be held in Tokyo and Investment Forum will take place in Osaka on the occasion of Gul's visit.

Turkish delegation will brief Japanese businessmen about investment opportunities in Turkey.

Trade volume with Japan has been changing between 2.5-4 billion USD since 2000. 42 percent of the products, which Turkey exports to Japan, is food; 23 percent is machinery and transportation vehicles, and 16 percent is textile.

Turkey exports tuna fish most to Japan. Turkey exported 55 million USD of tuna fish to Japan in 2005; this figure rose to 64 million USD in 2006.

Turkey imports industrial products from Japan mostly.

AA