Monday, 25 May 2026
Ambassador Iwai (R) poses for a photo during his interview with Egyptian Radio.
Japan and Egypt celebrate over a century of friendship, renew commitment to strategic partnership
Japan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Fumio Iwai, underscored the enduring strength of Egyptian-Japanese relations during a recent interview with Egyptian radio, emphasizing both official ties and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.
He spotlighted the ever-deepening friendship between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, noting the recent elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a “strategic partnership.”
Ambassador Iwai praised Egypt’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid, adding that both countries remain committed not just to their own flourishing partnership, but also to joint work for peace and development in the region and the wider world.
The Ambassador cited close cooperation in education and peacebuilding across the Middle East and Africa, highlighting joint initiatives such as the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), which provides scholarships to students from Africa and Palestine. In addition, Japan and Egypt have collaborated through the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), supporting capacity-building for peace in Africa as part of their trilateral cooperation.
Japan-Egypt relations date back more than 140 years, Ambassador Iwai recalled, noting a historic visit by a Japanese samurai delegation to Egypt to learn from its railway technology. A famous photo of the delegation in front of the Sphinx continues to symbolize the long-standing friendship.
He described recent advances in bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of education—an area Egypt has prioritized under President Sisi’s leadership as key to investing in people’s potential. Over the past decade, Japan’s support has spanned all stages of education, from preschools using Japanese methods, to Egypt-Japan Schools (EJS), KOSEN technical colleges, and E-JUST, now one of Egypt’s leading universities.
Ambassador Iwai reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to ongoing economic cooperation aligned with Egypt’s development needs and the requirements of the modern era. Last year marked the 70th anniversary of Japan-Egypt development cooperation, which began with agricultural training in 1954 and later expanded to large infrastructure projects, such as the Suez Canal, Borg El Arab Airport, and Cairo Metro Line 4.
Expressing great pride in the Grand Egyptian Museum—the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization—Ambassador Iwai described it as a testament to ongoing economic cooperation and the deep respect Japanese people hold for Egypt’s rich culture. Japan is committed to sharing the knowledge and expertise developed through the museum with other nations, helping establish it as a hub for research and cultural exchange regionally and globally. He emphasized Egyptians’ archaeological heritage is celebrated in Japan, with Egypt ranking among the top tourist destinations for Japanese travelers.
Japan and Egypt, the Ambassador reiterated, look forward to further cooperation and friendship—for the benefit of their peoples, the region, and the world.