Japan's Koike: Turkish-Japanese cooperation will make a mark on the 21st century

Turkey plays a key role for both the West and East in line with its geopolitical and strategic position, said Yuriko Koike, a member of the Japanese House of Representatives, yesterday. Speaking to Sabah daily, Koike, currently in Turkey as part of the Year of Japan in Turkey, said that Turkey provides a path for reaching Asia, the Caucasus and Europe. Stating that Turkey's cultural and historical ties with Turkic states since the fall of the Soviet Union give it power for the future, she added that President Abdullah Gul's recent visit with a business delegation helped boost bilateral relations. "The visit encouraged businesses on both sides' to sign new agreements and investments," he added. She also said that Turkish-Japanese cooperation will make a mark on the 21st century.