Abstract
PRINCE KOMATSU AKIHITO'S 1887 VISIT TO ISTANBUL AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF JAPANESE-OTTOMAN RELATIONS
This paper examines the historical significance of Prince Komatsu Akihito's 1887 diplomatic mission to Istanbul as a foundational moment in Japanese-Ottoman relations. While often overshadowed by the subsequent 1890 Ertuğrul frigate disaster, Prince Komatsu's visit established formal diplomatic ties between two non-Western empires navigating the challenges of modernization amid Western imperial expansion. Through analysis of primary and secondary sources, this research explores the historical context of the visit, its immediate outcomes, and its enduring legacy in shaping Japanese-Turkish relations into the 21st century. The findings demonstrate how this diplomatic exchange transcended ceremonial formalities to create a resilient partnership characterized by mutual respect, strategic pragmatism, and humanitarian cooperation that continues to influence bilateral relations between Japan and Turkey today.
Keywords
Japanese-Ottoman relations, Prince Komatsu Akihito, diplomatic history, Ertuğrul frigate, internatio
