Turkish Airlines Saved Japanese in 1985
On March 17, in 1985, the Iran-Iraq War entered a new phase of exchanging missiles.
President Saddam Hussein of Iraq declared that any airplanes that flied over Iran 40 hours after the moment would be shot down. So, foreigners started to leave Iraq and Iran. But, finally 250 Japanese were left in Tehran. No Japanese airlines would send a plane to Tehran to rescue the Japanese because of a risk of being involved in the warfare.
But, here came one plane to the Tehran airport solely to rescue the Japanese. All the 250 Japanese on board the jet plane could leave Iran in safety, since it was Turkey's Government that dispatched the heroic airplane for the sole purpose to save Japanese in Tehran.
When the chief pilot announced, "Our guest Japanese citizens, welcome to Turkey," all the Japanese feeling so secured almost cried for joy, since exchange of missiles between Iran and Iraq started just three hours after their departure from the Tehran Airport.
In 2006, when the then Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Junichiro Koizumi visited Turkey, he met with the chief pilot. However, it was the then Japanese Ambassador to Iran and some Japanese businessman in Turkey that approached the Turkish Ambassador to Iran and the then Prime Minister of Turkey.
It is well known in Japan that Turks are very pro-Japanese.
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