Japan’s Diplomatic Reactions to the Cyprus Conflict of 1974

Abstract

In the 1970s, both Japan and Türkiye experienced significant events. Japan, having rapidly recovered from World War II, emphasized peace diplomacy alongside economic progress. Events like the Osaka World Expo in 1970, themed “Progress and Harmony for Mankind” reflected Japan’s commitment to stability. Diplomatically, Japan worked to strengthen ties with the United States, successfully reuniting Okinawa in 1972 through peaceful means. In contrast, Türkiye witnessed political turmoil and social unrest throughout the 1970s, leading to the military coup of 1980. One of the defining moments for Türkiye during this period was the Cyprus Conflict of 1974, resulting in the division of Cyprus into the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus. Despite nearing the 50th anniversary in 2024, complete peace has not been achieved on the island. This study aims to analyze Japan’s diplomatic response to the Cyprus Issue and Cyprus Conflict of 1974. It will explore whether Japan pursued a stance of peace diplomacy and adopted a balanced policy or took a strong stance in favor of or against either side. Utilizing official government statements, Record of Diet Proceedings, Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, and the Diplomatic Bluebook published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the study employs descriptive content analysis. The analysis seeks to provide insights into Japan’s diplomatic position during the Cyprus Issue, Cyprus Conflict of 1974 and after.