Ambassador of Japan Oka Hiroshi said that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the Giza Plateau “is literally the symbol of our cooperation”.
“At first, Japanese experts were only allowed to work on replicas. Now, having acquired full confidence from the Egyptian side, Japanese and Egyptians archeologists are working hand in hand to preserve many precious artefacts of King Tutankhamun at GEM,” he said.
“Leading Japanese Egyptologist Professor Sakuji Yoshimura had continued his archeological work since 1966. His discovery of King Khufu’s Second Solar Boat is considered a milestone achievement by Japanese archeologists and will fascinate millions of visitors to the GEM, where its restoration work will continue,” he added.
The ambassador’s statements came during a reception Wednesday night to celebrate his country’s national day, the birthday of Emperor of Japan Naruhito, who turned 63. The event was also held to celebrate the long history of friendship between the two countries.
During his speech, he touched upon many fields of Egypt-Japan cooperation.
In health, he said that Professor Mureo Kasahara, MD in paediatric surgery, has continued to cooperate with Egyptian doctors tirelessly for more than 20 years to save the lives of many Egyptian children.
“As soon as he finishes his operation in Tokyo, he boards an aeroplane to come to Cairo to perform operations, including a liver transplant, on children on Saturdays and Sundays to return to Tokyo to join the conference in hospital on Monday morning,” the ambassador said.
Japan is very close to the Egyptians through their palate as well, he added.
“Japonica rice was introduced to the Egyptian tables in 1917 and since then it has been an indispensable ingredient for the preparation of Koshary.”
For sports, he added, Captain Mohamed Rashwan, Olympic silver medallist, is a judo legend not only for Egyptians but also for Japanese. His well-known strength and fair-play represent the essence of Judo and inspired many young Egyptians to practise Judo.
“Popularity of Japanese martial arts in Egypt is bringing our friendship even closer. We were so happy when the Egyptian Karate Champion, Feryal Abdelaziz became the first Egyptian woman to win a gold medal in the Olympics at Tokyo in 2021.”
On education, the ambassador hailed the c-ooperation advancing in education stages in Egypt, including 11,300 Egyptian boys and girls learning at 51 Egyptian Japanese Schools.
“These children will carry the torch of friendship to the future generations.”
Regionally, he said, Japan and Egypt work together for peace and stability in the region.
He said that Egypt is an essential partner for African development through the Japan-sponsored African development process called TICAD (Tokyo International Conference for African Development).
“The two countries are joining hands to train human capital or extend support to people in need in the Middle East and Africa, including Palestinians, based on the human-centred approach derived from the concept of human security and ‘no one left behind’.”
Being a member of the UN Security Council and the Presidency country of G7 this year, Japan will make its utmost efforts in cooperation with the international community to end the Russia-Ukraine war soon to uphold the rule-based international order, he said.
“Japan will continue to firmly stand with Egyptians to alleviate suffering from the war,” he added.
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