Tokyo: Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat is set to embark on a two-day visit to Japan on Wednesday, accompanied by officials from both government and private sectors, with the aim of enhancing economic and trade relations between the two nations. This visit is timed to coincide with the 101st anniversary of diplomatic relations between Trkiye and Japan, underscoring a commitment to elevate their longstanding friendship to new heights in economic and commercial domains. According to Anadolu Agency, Minister Bolat's itinerary includes attending the official opening ceremony of the Turkish pavilion for EXPO 2025 Osaka on Wednesday. The event serves as a platform to showcase Trkiye's cultural and technological aspirations to a global audience. Trkiye's participation in EXPO 2025 Osaka is themed 'Golden Age of Civilizations,' with a 900 square meter national pavilion that merges Anatolia's rich cultural heritage with the country's futuristic vision. On the second day in Tokyo, Bolat is scheduled for bilateral me etings with Japanese ministers of trade, transport and infrastructure, and agriculture. He will also participate in the Trkiye-Japan CEO round table meeting, which gathers key figures from the Turkish and Japanese business communities, and meet with the president of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). While the trade volume between Trkiye and Japan reached $5.4 billion in 2024, Japan holds the position of Trkiye's fourth largest trading partner in Asia. However, a significant trade imbalance exists, with Trkiye exporting goods worth $718 million compared to $4.7 billion in imports from Japan. Addressing this imbalance through accelerated negotiations on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), initiated in 2014, remains a priority. Currently, over 275 Japanese companies operate in Trkiye, with total investments exceeding $3.1 billion. Trkiye presents attractive opportunities for Japanese investment due to its strategic intercontinental location, youthful and dynamic workforce, advanced infrastru cture, and investor-friendly reforms.