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On October 28 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Republic of Turkey.

Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from Mr. Kadir Topbaş, Mayor of Istanbul. The Prime Minister then attended a reception hosted by the Marmaray Project Joint Venture.

The Prime Minister said in his address at the reception,

"When I was still a young man, a popular song in Japan was 'Fly away Istanbul.' I have today, this morning, left Japan and flown away to Istanbul.
It is now around two in the morning in Japan, but since I have been able to come to this wonderful reception and experience the warm hospitality of the Turkish people, my drowsiness too has suddenly flown away.
Tomorrow, on the 90th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, service will begin on the Bosphorus Rail Tube Crossing, something which could be called a dream of the Turkish people spanning 150 years. I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations for this historic accomplishment, achieved through the cooperation of Japan and Turkey.
I would also like to communicate my heartfelt admiration for H.E. Mr. Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs, and Communications, along with  the officials of the Turkish Government, Taisei Corporation, GAMA Industry Inc., Nurol Construction and Trade Co. Inc., and all those who have been involved in this project.
Istanbul is a city with a very long and rich history spanning thousands of years. I have heard that it took extremely hard work as the construction was delayed due to investigations into historic ruins that were excavated over the course of construction.
I have also heard that it would be nearly impossible to construct a tunnel at a depth of 60 meters along the base of the Bosporus Strait. May I again express my respect for the strength of will and passion of all people who have been involved in the project, which made the impossible, possible.
Since 1999, the Japanese Government has provided ODA loans toward this project totaling over approximately 1.5 billion dollars. I am overjoyed to have become a partner for the realization of this grand dream. It is something which makes me proud to be Japanese.
Next year marks the 90th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey. I want to conclude my remarks by hoping that this Rail Tube Crossing stretching over Bosphorus will truly become a symbol of friendship between Japan and Turkey, making the relationship between our two countries even closer, and that our bilateral relations will develop further.
Thank you."