JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TAKAHIKO KATSUMATA:
‘HOSPITALITY’ PERFECTLY REFLECTS OUR BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Takahiko Katsumata, who first came to Türkiye in 1983 to learn Turkish, later served twice as a diplomat at the Japanese Embassy in Türkiye, and was finally appointed as Japanese Ambassador to Türkiye in 2023, is a true Türkiye enthusiast. Having spent ten years in Türkiye, Katsumata said, “My favorite Turkish word is ‘misafirperverlik’ (hospitality). Because this word beautifully reflects the relationship and similarities between Japan and Türkiye.” The Ambassador also expressed his fondness for the Turkish TV series Bizimkiler and Perihan Abla, which he watched to improve his Turkish.
In an exclusive interview with Démarche, Japanese Ambassador Takahiko Katsumata shared his experiences in Türkiye and how he learned Turkish.
I HAD THE IMAGE OF A MAGNIFICENT ISTANBUL VIEW IN MY MIND
“I studied law in Japan. In 1982, I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry had an excellent training program. Young diplomats could learn English and an additional foreign language. I chose Turkish. Back then, I had in mind the magnificent view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. I studied Turkish at Istanbul University for a year. Since I had no Turkish, I started with the alphabet. The grammar structures of Turkish and Japanese are quite similar. That helped me learn fast by reading books. Later, I came to Ankara. Since my Turkish had improved, I studied for two years at Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science. Then I worked for three years as a diplomat at the embassy. I returned between 2013 and 2016. In 2023, I was posted to Türkiye for the third time. So, I have a long-standing connection with Türkiye.”
THE HARDEST WORD: ‘GÜRÜLTÜLÜ’
“The most difficult Turkish word for me is ‘gürültülü’ (noisy). Because vowels like ‘ü’, ‘ı’, and ‘ö’ don’t exist in Japanese. It’s really hard for us to pronounce them correctly. Our mouths aren’t used to these sounds. I had to practice a lot to pronounce that word. I can speak more comfortably now, but I still make mistakes.”
MY FAVORITE WORD IS ‘MİSAFİRPERVERLİK’
“My favorite Turkish word is ‘misafirperverlik’. It perfectly reflects the connection and similarity between Japan and Türkiye. In Japanese, we call it omotenashi. It’s not just a word; it’s part of our culture. Turkish people are very warm, kind, and generous to guests and foreigners. It’s the same in Japan. We try to treat visitors as best as we can. That’s why ‘misafirperverlik’ is the first word that comes to my mind.”
TURKS RESPOND MORE TO FOREIGNERS WHO SPEAK TURKISH
“Our duty as diplomats is to build good relations with the country we’re in and represent our country by communicating with its people. So, speaking Turkish is a big advantage. In the 1980s, few people in Türkiye spoke English. I had to learn Turkish. It wasn’t a challenge—it was an opportunity. Nowadays, many Turks speak English, but speaking Turkish still creates closer and more sincere relationships. Turks feel closer to foreigners who speak their language. When I visit villages and speak Turkish, people get surprised and ask, ‘Are you Japanese? How did you learn Turkish?’ They immediately warm up, offer tea, and invite me to their homes. It’s a wonderful thing.”
A ‘TORTURE’ MEMORY
“Some Turkish words sound very similar. For example, ‘kış’ (winter) and ‘kuş’ (bird), or ‘işkembe’ (tripe) and ‘işkence’ (torture), or ‘kız’ (girl) and ‘kuzu’ (lamb). I wanted to try tripe soup at a restaurant when I was young. But I mixed up the words. I asked the chef, ‘Can I have some torture?’ He laughed and said, ‘Do you want işkence or işkembe?’ I have lots of funny memories like that.”
I LEARNED TURKISH WITH BİZİMKİLER AND PERİHAN ABLA
“In the 1980s, I watched the news and TV series to get used to Turkish. I loved watching Bizimkiler and Perihan Abla. In recent years, I got interested in Muhteşem Yüzyıl. It has many epısodes, so I haven’t finished it yet, but I still watch it.”
I LIKE OLD ANKARA MORE
“I’ve lived in Ankara for about ten years in total. When I returned to Ankara in 2023, I saw that it had developed a lot. Luxurious buildings and shopping malls caught my attention. But I like old Ankara more. On weekends, I walk or jog around Kızılay and Ulus. The old streets, small shops, jewelers, restaurants… People in these areas are warm and sincere. I’m very happy living in Ankara.”
I MAKE MENEMEN BUT CAN’T COOK İMAMBAYILDI
“We have a chef at home, a Japanese Chef. But on weekends, I cook. I go to the farmers’ market to buy fresh vegetables and meat. I chat with the sellers. That makes me happy. It’s not easy, but I can make menemen. Sometimes I make sandwiches. I want to learn to cook dishes like imambayıldı, but I haven’t had the chance yet.”
I RUN LISTENING TO BARIŞ MANÇO SONGS
“A diplomat’s life is intense—receptions and invitations every day. That means frequent eating. Turkish food is very delicious, but also high in calories. So, I need to exercise on weekends. I used to try horseback riding, but now I jog. I listen to Barış Manço songs while running. Jogging in Ankara, listening to music, observing Turkish people’s daily life, gives me peace.”
SOME DAYS I DRANK 20 GLASSES OF TEA
“Before coming to Türkiye, my only impressions came from books and TV programs. I always imagined Bosphorus views. When I arrived, I saw Istanbul’s beauty with my own eyes and was amazed. But what impressed me most was the warmth of the Turkish people and their deep interest in Japan. I used to go to the Grand Bazaar to practice Turkish. The sellers would immediately ask, ‘Are you Japanese? Where are you from?’ They’d offer tea while chatting. I had days when I drank 10–20 glasses of tea. These experiences helped me see how sincere and warm Turkish people are, and how deep the friendship between Türkiye and Japan is. Historical events like the Ertuğrul Frigate brought our nations closer.”
“Many Turkish students in big cities like Ankara and Istanbul are studying Japanese. Even in small villages, people know about historical events like the Ertuğrul story. When they hear I’m Japanese, they immediately ask questions about Japan. This cultural interaction is very valuable.”
WE MUST CARRY THIS FRIENDSHIP FORWARD
“Last year was the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Türkiye. But our relations go back even further. It’s been 135 years since the Ertuğrul tragedy in 1890. In 1985, during the Iran-Iraq war, Turkish Airlines rescued Japanese citizens from Tehran and brought them to Istanbul. We share such a meaningful history. We must pass this valuable friendship on to the younger generation. I believe we will strengthen and continue this bond in the next century. Without forgetting our roots, we must take this friendship even further.”
