On Sunday, January 27^th, 2019, at 11:00 am, the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) received the Japanese Ambassador to Cairo, Masaki Noki, where he spoke on the bilateral relations between Egypt and Japan and means of promoting it. The meeting was attended by Their Excellencies Ambassadors; Mounir Zahran, Ezzat Saad, Hisham El-Zamaity, Hussein Hassouna, Amin Shalaby, Mohamed El Ashmawy, Dr. Aley El Din Helal, Mohammed Kamal, Dr. Iman Rajab, Ahmed Abu Shady, Farouk Mabrouk, Ibrahim Fawzi, Mohamed Abdel Maaboud, and Attorney/ Mohamed Hassouna.

As regards the Egyptian-Japanese relations; the Ambassador pointed out that they are witnessing great development in the recent period, and that has been prompted by Egypt’s weight in the region. He indicated that both countries have fulfilled many achievements together. The most significant to be mentioned with respect to such issue is the establishment of the Japanese Experimental Schools in Egypt   that seeks the building up of the Egyptian child and enhancement of his capabilities, and he denied any sort of colonization attempt or intellectual invasion to be there behind this experiment.

The Japanese Ambassador indicated that Japan has a special geographical nature, as it is surrounded by many significant countries that have special nature as well. There is China with which countries of the region have disputes over the South China Sea, and that has recently witnessed other trade disputes with the United States which is Japan’s closest ally. There is Russia, with which Japan has a border on the northern part, and also having some border problems with Japan. There is as well North Korea, which is famous for its nuclear program and contentious ballistic missiles, and that has carried out several illegal nuclear tests and fired more than one missile in the direction of the Japanese territories.

Generally, the Japanese ambassador said that, the US foreign policy depends on six pillars or major priorities; which are, respectively: to promote the Japan-US alliance, to enhance relations with neighboring countries as much as possible, development of economic diplomacy, to launch initiatives on global issues, to engage in the Middle East peace process and to participate in its stability, and finally to guarantee the freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific region.