Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt is seeking to expand Japanese investment and accelerate cooperation in education, technology and major infrastructure projects as Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty continued a series of high-level meetings in Tokyo aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries.
During talks with members of the Egyptian-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association, Abdelatty highlighted the rapid growth of bilateral relations since Egypt and Japan elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2023, a move that has been followed by increased political dialogue and economic cooperation between Cairo and Tokyo.
The meeting formed part of a broader diplomatic push by Egypt during Abdelatty’s four-day visit to Japan, which has included discussions with Japanese ministers, lawmakers, business leaders and senior government officials. Japanese authorities said the visit is intended to further strengthen friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.
Seeking More Japanese Investment
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty used the meeting to encourage greater Japanese private-sector engagement in Egypt, particularly in the fields of advanced technology, education, manufacturing and industrial localization.
The foreign minister pointed to opportunities available within the Suez Canal Economic Zone and other investment hubs, arguing that ongoing economic reforms have enhanced Egypt’s attractiveness to foreign investors and improved the competitiveness of the Egyptian market.
Japanese investment has played a visible role in several flagship Egyptian projects over the past decade, including the Grand Egyptian Museum and Cairo Metro Line 4, both of which have received significant Japanese financial and technical support.
Education at the Center of Cooperation
Education remains one of the strongest pillars of Egyptian-Japanese cooperation.
During separate meetings in Tokyo, Abdelatty described educational cooperation as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership, highlighting the Egyptian-Japanese Education Initiative and a range of programs developed with Japanese support across different stages of education.
Egyptian officials have frequently pointed to the success of Japanese-supported schools and technical education programs as examples of practical cooperation that has produced tangible results beyond traditional development assistance.
Regional Issues Discussed
Beyond bilateral relations, Abdelatty and Japanese lawmakers exchanged views on several regional developments, including the conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, as well as developments involving Iran and issues related to regional security.
The minister also outlined Egypt’s position on water security and broader Middle East stability, themes that have featured prominently throughout his meetings with Japanese officials this week.
Parliamentary Diplomacy Gains Momentum
Abdelatty praised the role played by the Egyptian-Japanese Parliamentary Friendship Association in strengthening ties between the two countries and called for the resumption of parliamentary exchanges in the coming period.
He invited members of the association to visit Egypt and hold meetings with Egyptian lawmakers in the New Administrative Capital, where the country’s new parliamentary headquarters are located.
The visit comes as Egypt and Japan seek to build on the momentum created by their 2023 strategic partnership, with both sides pursuing closer cooperation in investment, infrastructure, education, development assistance and regional diplomacy.
