Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani visited Turkey in August 2025 to discuss enhancing defense cooperation, including the potential purchase of Turkish-made drones. During his visit, Nakatani met with Turkey's Defense Minister Yasar Guler in Ankara and toured major Turkish defense firms such as Baykar and TUSAS. The discussions focused on equipment, technology exchanges, and regional security concerns, particularly in light of China's expanding naval presence in the western Pacific. Turkey's defense industry has gained attention for supplying attack drones to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, and Japan is considering the deployment of these drones within its Self-Defense Forces. Both countries agreed to initiate defense exchanges and strengthen their military ties. Additionally, Nakatani held talks with the Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister aboard the Japanese escort ship Kaga, further emphasizing Japan's efforts to expand defense cooperation internationally. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also recently inspected the Kaga and the British aircraft carrier Prince of Wales, highlighting the deepening defense collaboration between Japan and the United Kingdom.