Ceremony to Remember Victims of Sunken Turkish Naval Ship Held in Japan’s Kushimoto; Ship Sank in 1890 During Storm
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Turkish-shipwreck.jpg)
Princess Akiko offers a bouquet of flowers at a memorial stone in Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on Monday.
6:00 JST, June 12, 2024
WAKAYAMA ― A ceremony to remember the victims of a sunken Turkish naval ship was held in the Kashino district of Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture, on Monday.
The Turkish naval ship Ertugrul sank off the coast of Kushimoto in September 1890 during a storm, while returning from Yokohama after paying a courtesy visit to Emperor Meiji. A total of 587 crew members were killed in the incident, but 69 survived thanks to rescue efforts by local residents, leading to the foundation of friendly relations between Japan and Turkey.
The ceremony coincided with a goodwill visit from the Turkish naval ship Kinaliada, which docked in Kushimoto to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Princess Akiko of Mikasa, who is president of the Japan-Turkey Society, and Turkish Ambassador to Japan Korkut Gungen were among 130 who attended.
![](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Turkishi-shipwreck2.jpg)
The Turkish naval ship Kinaliada calls at Kushimoto, Wakayama Prefecture.
Following a moment of silence, Princess Akiko said “I hope the relationship between Japan and Turkey last for many more years to come.”
Attendees offered flowers to a memorial stone, and students from the town’s Oshima Elementary School who are involved in cleaning the stone sang a locally-known elegy.
Gungen said that the cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries is that they have come through difficult times by supporting each other, adding that he hopes to maintain a close relationship.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Overseas Tourists’ Admission to Himeji Castle May Be Quadrupled; Raising Money to Handle Overtourism Impact
-
JR Chuo, Sobu Lines resume operations (UPDATE2)
-
Premium Cherry Sold for ¥100,000 in Tokyo; Fruit Won Last Year’s ‘Largest Cherry’ Contest in Yamagata Prefecture
-
Tsukiji Outer Market; surviving and thriving / Professional or Not, Connoisseurs Love Tokyo’s Tsukiji Outer Market; Area Next to Former Site of Famed Market Still Shines
-
Emperor’s Role in Japan-U.K. Ties / Japan Emperor Draws on Student Days at Oxford University; U.K. Experience Helped Shape Approach to Current Duties
JN ACCESS RANKING