Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Maya Morsy discussed with a delegation of members of the Japanese House of Councillors, headed by Ambassador Iwai Fumio, Japan’s Ambassador to Egypt, ways to enhance joint cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of early childhood and elderly care.
The minister praised the depth of the strategic relations between Egypt and Japan, stressing the importance of the existing partnership in the National Early Childhood Project in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and benefiting from the Japanese experience in early education and investment in childhood as one of the pillars of development.
She said the meeting addressed the results of the national survey of nursery facilities conducted in 2025, which showed the existence of more than 48,000 nurseries benefiting about 1.7 million children. She noted that the next phase aims at well-planned strategic expansion and improving the efficiency of service providers, along with expanding the application of the Japanese model in a manner consistent with the Egyptian context.
The minister expressed the ministry’s aspiration to benefit from the Japanese experience in the field of elderly care, in light of the Elderly Rights Care Law, whose executive regulations are currently being finalized. She also reviewed the ministry’s efforts in combating violence against women and its programs for empowerment and social protection.
In a related context, Engineer Margaret Sarofim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, accompanied the Japanese delegation on an inspection tour of the reception center for the children of employees at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, which was established according to the Japanese model. The delegation reviewed the activities and services provided to children and praised the quality of care offered during this important age stage.
For their part, members of the Japanese House of Councillors delegation expressed their appreciation for Egyptian-Japanese cooperation in the field of early childhood, affirming their desire to expand the horizons of cooperation with Egypt, especially in the field of elderly care in the coming period.
