UPDATE - Japan: Turkey's Erdogan receives honorary doctorate

CHANGES DECK, ADDS MORE REMARKS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s president on Thursday received an honorary doctorate from a Japanese university during his visit to the country for a G20 summit.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was honored to receive the degree from Mukogawa Women's University and thanked the university for its hospitality.

Noting that Japan has 80 universities exclusively for women, Erdogan said he would consider following suit in Turkey.

Saying Japan set a "very important example," Erdogan called the universities "very meaningful" for Turkey.

He said Turkey and Japan have stood by each other through good and bad times, adding that politicians and academics should pass the torch on to future generations.

-Far away so close

Erdogan stressed the importance of "the development of political cooperation between Turkey and Japan, strengthening the foundation of our strategic partnership."

Despite the thousands of kilometers separating us, the friendship and close cooperation between the Turkish and Japanese peoples is appreciated, Erdogan said.

"There are no other two countries with such different cultures, different beliefs, different languages, but which are so close to each other, hold each other in such high esteem and have common points," he said.

With their work ethic, courage, discipline and determination, the Japanese people have managed to overcome all kind of difficulties, Erdogan said, adding that in their history the people of Japan have suffered severe setbacks, but every time have made a new beginning.

He went on to say that Japan named 2019 the year of Turkish culture, and many events throughout the year will mark this.

- Praise for Turkey’s humanitarian aid

Seguchi Kazuyoshi, the university’s president, hailed Erdogan’s great contributions to the friendship between Turkey and Japan, and his helping to develop academic culture.

Kazuyoshi stressed that Turkey rebuilt its economy, and in this process became the country giving shelter to more refugees than any other country in the world.

He also said that Turkey's humanitarian assistance is highly respected by the international community.

Kazuyoshi added that the current student exchange program between the two countries would benefit cooperation.

- Erdogan touts role of women

Erdogan pointed out that the ratio of women in public employment in Turkey tops 38%, adding that the number of women in the workforce is over 9 million.

"Of course, all of these figures are important, but in our eyes it is never enough," he said.

In the days to come as well, we will endeavor to provide our women with the opportunities they deserve in every aspect of life, he said.

"Whatever the circumstances, Turkey will continue to stand with the oppressed and victims, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, or color of their skin."

He said that almost every crisis both in the region and in the world affects women the most, and that women are the ones who pay the heaviest price in Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Myanmar, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

"The labor and efforts of women, often seen as cheap labor, are being exploited."

Erdogan also stressed that over the last 17 years, under his party’s rule, Turkey has signed many historic women's rights reforms.

"Behind all the achievements I have achieved in my 40 years of political life, there is surely the endeavor, effort, and sacrifice of women," Erdogan said.

- Turkey's role in hosting refugees

Erdogan said that the region where Turkey is located has experienced "painful events" in recent years.

Turkey stood by democracy, freedom and justice during all the crises in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq, he added.

"We opened our doors and hearts without any distinction," he said referring to around 4 million refugees hosted by Turkey mainly from Syria, as well as from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Erdogan cited UN figures saying Turkey has spent more than $37 billion on the Syrian refugees.

"Unfortunately, many of our Western neighbors chose to hide behind high walls and seek peace behind barbed-wire fences."

The G20 summit will kick off in the port city of Osaka on Friday.

During the summit, Erdogan and first lady Emine Erdogan are being accompanied by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

* Ahmet Furkan Mercan contributed to this story