TOKYO - Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc arrived in Japanese capital Tokyo on Sunday as the official guest of Japanese Upper Chamber (or House of Representatives) Chairman Hiroyuki Kurata.
Japanese Upper Chamber Deputy Chairman Shoji Motooka, Turkish Ambassador to Japan Solmaz Unaydin and other officials welcomed Arinc at Tokyo's Narita Airport.
Addressing journalists at the airport, Arinc said, ''there have been mutual affection and respect between Turkish and Japanese peoples. Turkey-Japan Interparliamentary Friendship Group is the most crowded group at our parliament. 350 out of 550 deputies are members of the group. Meanwhile, we are pleased with presence of Japan-Turkey Friendship groups both in upper and lower chambers of Japanese parliament. I believe that relations between our parliament will further improve in the coming period. ''
Meanwhile, Motooka referred to the good relations between Turkey and Japan and said, ''let's take each other by the hand and support peace and development in the world.''
Noting that Japan-Turkey Friendship Group was the most active group of the Upper Chamber of Japanese Parliament, Motooka noted that announcement of 2003 as ''Turkey Year in Japan'' would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Later, Japanese Upper Chamber International Relations Director General Hitoshi Honda hosted a luncheon in honor of Arinc and accompanying delegation.
Speaking at the luncheon, Arinc said, ''I believe that this visit will make an important contribution to further improvement of relations between Turkish and Japanese parliaments.''
Telat Karapinar, a deputy of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and a member of Turkey-Japan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Haci Biner, a deputy of the AK Party and a member of Turkey-Japan Interparliamentary Friendship Group, and Hasan Aydin, a deputy of the Republican People's Party (CHP) are accompanying Arinc during his visit to Japan.
Arinc will also visit Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka.
He is expected to return to Turkey on June 7.
(UK-MS) 01.06.2003