Gul due to Japan

President Abdullah Gul will depart for Japan today as the official guest of Japanese Emperor Akihito. Gul's visit will focus on economy and aim to strengthen bilateral trade ties between the two countries and to draw Japanese investors' attention to the opportunities in Turkey. Towards this end, Turkish-Japanese Business Forum will be held in Tokyo and an investment forum will take place in Osaka. Turkish delegation will brief Japanese businessmen about investment opportunities in Turkey. Turkish-Japanese relations started after Turkish Ertugrul Frigate sank on September 16, 1890 on its return from Japan. Ertugrul Frigate had been sent to Japan to present a medal of Ottoman Empire to Japanese emperor. Year 2003 was celebrated as "Turkish Year" in Japan. Turkey also declared 2010 "Japanese Year."