Egyptian–Japanese relations represent a distinctive model within the broader spectrum of Arab–Asian interactions, combining a long history of developmental and cultural cooperation with renewed prospects shaped by current global transformations. For decades, these ties have rested primarily on economic and developmental dimensions; however, recent years have witnessed a notable shift in the nature and level of political and diplomatic engagement. This transformation has been reflected in high-level official visits and in Egypt’s consistent participation in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), one of the most prominent bridges of communication between Tokyo and the African continent. This role was further reinforced by Egypt’s participation with a high-level delegation in the Ninth TICAD Summit, held in Japan last August, underscoring Cairo’s determination to enhance its presence in shaping the agenda of African–Japanese cooperation.
Against the backdrop of ongoing changes in the international order and the rising influence of middle powers, Egypt and Japan now stand before an exceptional opportunity to re-engineer their bilateral partnership with a more comprehensive and sustainable approach. This new form of cooperation requires moving beyond traditional frameworks toward building an integrated strategic architecture that would reinforce both countries’ roles on the regional and international stages—commensurate with current geopolitical shifts and shared development aspirations.
Dimensions of Egyptian-Japanese relations:
Egyptian-Japanese relations are characterized by their multiple dimensions and intertwined paths. They are no longer limited to the development or economic aspect alone, but have extended to include political, military and security dimensions that reflect the two parties’ awareness of the need to build a more comprehensive partnership. This can be explained by reviewing the most prominent of these dimensions as follows:
First: The political and diplomatic dimension:
Political relations between Egypt and Japan have witnessed remarkable development over the past few years, becoming more firmly established against the backdrop of a series of accumulated understandings and increasing official mutual visits, in addition to the growing role of both parties in international and regional arenas. This increased interaction has contributed to strengthening bilateral and political cooperation in various contexts, and this can be highlighted as follows:
At the level of official visits: In recent years, Egyptian-Japanese relations have witnessed a series of high-level visits that reflected the strength of political ties and the desire of both sides to raise the partnership to a more comprehensive level. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, made an official visit to Cairo in April 2023, the first visit by a Japanese prime minister in more than a decade, and carried clear political connotations regarding Egypt’s position as a pillar of Japan’s strategy in the Middle East and Africa. Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, and his wife also made an official visit to Cairo in September of the same year, in an event that gained special symbolism as it reflected the depth of cultural and political ties between the two countries.[1]
At the ministerial level, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshi masa Hayashi, visited Egypt in 2023, where he held in-depth consultations on regional and international issues. Egyptian Ministers of Education, Energy, and Transport also visited Japan repeatedly during 2022 and 2023 to follow up on strategic cooperation projects, whether in the fields of education through the Egyptian–Japanese University or in energy and infrastructure projects. In contrast, a number of Egyptian ministers and officials visited Tokyo during the same period to discuss expanding partnerships in the electricity, renewable energy, and port development sectors. These visits clearly reflected the transition of relations from being merely a protocol framework to an active political path based on continuous high-level dialogue, and establishing broader strategic understandings in the next stage.[2]
At the level of participation and coordination in international summits and forums: International summits and forums in recent years have reflected the convergence of visions between Egypt and Japan on issues of sustainable development and global security. Egypt has been keen to maintain its regular presence in TICAD summits for years, as a pivotal platform for enhancing African–Japanese cooperation and consolidating its position as a bridge linking Africa and Asia this continuous presence represented a clear indication of Cairo’s awareness of the importance of the strategic dimension in the relationship with Tokyo, not only within the framework of development, but also in the context of international balances. In this context, Egypt participated in the ninth summit hosted by the Japanese city of Yokohama last August, with a high-level delegation headed by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, on behalf of President “Abdel Fattah El-Sisi” This presence reflected the continued Egyptian role in formulating the Japanese–African cooperation agenda, and also provided an opportunity to discuss regional and international issues with a strategic dimension, which confirms that Egyptian–Japanese relations are now moving on a path that goes beyond the traditional character to broader horizons of political and development partnership.[3]
In contrast, Egypt played a prominent role in the Climate Summit (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2022, where Tokyo showed clear support for Egyptian initiatives related to energy transition and financing climate adaptation projects in Africa. A growing political partnership between the two countries also emerged in international forums such as the United Nations and the “G77 + China”, and Tokyo showed support for Egyptian positions related to sustainable development and energy security while Cairo adopted Japan’s rhetoric calling for nuclear disarmament and strengthening multilateral action, this convergence reflects a mutual awareness of the important role of middle powers and regional actors in reshaping the international order away from the traditional dominance of major powers.
At the level of regional issues: Relations witnessed broad consensus on many regional issues, especially in the Middle East and Africa. On the Palestinian issue, Japan affirmed its support for the two-state solution as a basic path to achieving peace, which is consistent with the steadfast Egyptian position. As for crises such as Libya and Sudan, Japan supported Egyptian efforts to reach political settlements that enhance regional stability. Also, the Egyptian initiative to protect global waterways received a positive response from the Japanese side, which relies heavily on the Suez Canal as a strategic corridor for its energy and commodity imports.
Second: The economic and investment dimension:
The economy has been the main factor in consolidating Egyptian-Japanese relations in recent years, as the level of cooperation has moved from traditional development projects to a strategic framework based on long-term investment and the adoption of advanced technologies. From 2022 until the last TICAD summit in 2025, economic relations have witnessed a remarkable development, whether with regard to trade exchange or direct investment flows and soft financing provided by Japan to support the implementation of major national projects in Egypt this can be explained as follows:
At the level of trade exchange: According to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, the value of trade exchange between the two countries increased to reach $386 million during the first five months of 2025, compared to $342.7 million during the same period in 2024, with a growth rate of 12.6%. Despite this remarkable growth, the data shows a decline in the value of Egyptian exports to Japan from $31.7 million to $27.5 million, a decline of 13.3%, while imports from Japan rose from $311 million to $358.5 million, a growth rate of 15.2%. This trend reflects the increasing dependence of the Egyptian trade balance on Japanese imports, which include cars, heavy equipment, and electronic machines; in contrast, traditional Egyptian exports such as natural gas, chemical products, and cotton. These figures show that Japan views Egypt not only as a final market for its products, but also as a strategic front for redistributing Japanese goods to African and Middle Eastern markets.[4]
At the level of direct investments: It has witnessed a gradual increase in recent years, as the value of Japanese direct investments in Egypt amounted to about $73.2 million during the fiscal year 2023/2024, compared to $68.4 million in the previous fiscal period (2022/2023), with a growth rate of 7%. This growth is consistent with the general trend to enhance Japan’s presence in the Egyptian market. In addition, long-term investments, estimated at about $3 billion by the end of 2024, have been concentrated in multiple sectors, most notably renewable energy (solar and wind), electric cars, and logistics projects related to the Suez Canal axis. A prominent example is Toyota Tsusho’s announcement of plans to expand in the fields of transportation and energy this strengthens Cairo’s position as a regional center for energy distribution and trade in the Middle East and Africa.[5]
At the level of development financing: Japan has played a prominent role through soft loans and technical support programs, as Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Japanese government contributed to financing important national projects, such as a loan of $301 million to implement the first phase of the fourth line of the Greater Cairo Metro, in addition to financing the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Egyptian–Japanese University of Science and Technology, in addition to providing financing for clean energy and water resources management projects, in addition to extensive contributions in the fields of trade, industry, transportation, agriculture, and electricity, as well as support for private sector development and small and medium-sized enterprises, this approach has been strengthened through technology grants and training programs to build local capacity, consolidating Japan’s role as a development partner that provides its support without setting complex political conditions, as is the case with some other international powers.[6]
In the broader context of economic relations, the recent TICAD summit marked a qualitative turning point that strengthened Egypt’s position within the common economic equation between Japan and Africa. Cairo is no longer just a bilateral partner, but has become a regional platform that contributes to attracting and directing Japanese investments towards Africa. This trend has revolved around focusing on green hydrogen, developing cross-border infrastructure, and renewable energy. In this way, the strategic dimension of economic cooperation extends to become a tool for reshaping the geo-economic landscape in the region. Japan, through Egypt, seeks to achieve a balance with China’s growing influence in Africa, while Cairo considers the partnership with the Japanese side an opportunity to expand the base of diversifying partners away from excessive dependence on Europe and the Gulf states, in light of its national strategy since 2022.
Third: The security and military dimension:
This dimension shows the specificity of Egyptian–Japanese relations, as it differs from the patterns of security and military cooperation that link Cairo with major international powers such as the United States, Russia, and France. Japan, by virtue of its restrictive constitution after World War II, does not engage in offensive military alliances, and is not considered one of the main arms exporters to the region, which makes security cooperation with Egypt take on an unconventional civil–technical–character more than direct arms cooperation.
However, security and military relations between Cairo and Tokyo in recent years cannot be considered to have witnessed deep institutional cooperation. The historical legacy of this dimension was limited to mutual visits by military officials between 2015 and 2017, including the visit of the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces to Tokyo and the visit of delegations from the Japanese Ministry of Defense to Cairo. These meetings were characterized by an exploratory nature rather than being the nucleus of sustainable cooperation. At the time, the two parties’ awareness of the importance of consulting on regional security issues in light of the escalation of terrorist threats in the Middle East, and the Japanese motivation to benefit from Egyptian expertise in combating terrorism and protecting sea lanes, reflected the absence of any subsequent steps at the level of joint training or clear defense agreements, indicating that relations had not moved to the level of a true security partnership, and remained limited to dialogue and exchange of views.[7]
Although direct military cooperation has remained limited, alternative channels of security collaboration between Egypt and Japan have emerged in recent years. The main areas of this cooperation can be summarized as follows:
1- Maritime Security and Protection of Waterways: Strategic maritime routes such as the Suez Canal and the Red Sea hold critical importance for Japan, given their vital role in the transportation of energy resources and Japanese goods. This has been reflected in Japan’s support for Egyptian programs aimed at developing port infrastructure and enhancing surveillance and maritime security systems. Such cooperation does not necessitate direct military involvement but serves the shared interests of both parties.[8]
2- Cybersecurity and Protection of Critical Infrastructure: Egyptian–Japanese cooperation has expanded significantly in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in safeguarding energy, transport, and communications networks. Japan has provided training programs and technical support to bolster the resilience of Egypt’s critical infrastructure. This dimension was highlighted during the recent TICAD Summit, which underscored the importance of digital security as a pillar of Africa’s development agenda.
3- Disaster Management and Logistical Support: With extensive expertise in early warning systems and disaster management, Japan has contributed to strengthening the capacities of Egyptian institutions in confronting natural crises and humanitarian risks. This form of cooperation is part of the non-traditional security dimension, as it relates to protecting critical facilities and ensuring continuity of essential operations—domains that overlap with the responsibilities of the armed forces in the Egyptian context.[9]
Based on these dynamics, it can be argued that the security and military dimension of Egyptian–Japanese relations remains marginal in terms of direct military cooperation, yet it is evolving through flexible security collaboration focused on safeguarding maritime routes, enhancing cyber capabilities, and building institutional preparedness for crisis management. This pattern reflects the nature of Japan’s defense policy, rooted in constitutional constraints, while aligning with Egypt’s orientation toward diversifying its partnerships without binding itself to rigid military alliances.
Prospects of Egyptian–Japanese Relations:
In the coming years, Egyptian–Japanese relations are set to redefine their place within the international and regional landscape, moving beyond their traditional economic and developmental character to become an integral part of the strategic balances shaping the contours of the emerging global order. Drawing strong momentum from the outcomes of the recent TICAD Summit, this dynamic creates favorable conditions for the transformation of the relationship into a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Aligned with its vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Japan seeks to strengthen its presence in Africa and the Middle East, recognizing Egypt as the natural gateway to this goal, thanks to its unique geographic location, its leading role in Africa, and its control over the Suez Canal—one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. Accordingly, Cairo’s importance to Tokyo transcends the developmental sphere, positioning Egypt as a strategic pillar in safeguarding global supply chains for energy and goods, as well as securing trade routes. This opens the door for expanded cooperation in non-traditional fields such as maritime security, digitalization, and cross-border risk management, in addition to linking Japan’s African initiatives with development projects spearheaded by Egypt.
At the same time, the current geopolitical shifts present Egypt with a major opportunity to maximize the benefits of this partnership in line with its grand strategy of diversifying partners and avoiding dependence on any single power, particularly amid the escalating U.S.–China rivalry. Should Cairo successfully leverage the political and diplomatic momentum generated by TICAD, it could further solidify its role as a regional hub for Japanese companies in Africa and the Middle East through long-term projects in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and digital transformation. Moreover, Egypt has the capacity to advance the creation of new security consultation mechanisms with Japan—covering areas such as cybersecurity, port security, and the protection of maritime routes—thus enhancing its national capabilities while adding a further strategic dimension to the partnership.
Most importantly, Cairo is able to utilize its growing partnership with Tokyo as a smart balancing card in managing its relations with major powers. On one hand, it maintains its traditional ties with the United States and Europe, while simultaneously investing in its openness to China and Russia—adding Japan as an advanced Eastern partner in terms of technology and economy, one that imposes neither political conditions nor military interventions.
In this light, Egyptian–Japanese relations appear poised to evolve from an economic–developmental framework into a comprehensive strategic partnership that intertwines development with politics and merges economic cooperation with security collaboration. Such a synergy provides a distinctive model of Arab–Asian relations, capable of withstanding the transformations of the emerging global order.
In conclusion:
it can be argued that Egyptian–Japanese relations are no longer confined to decades-old trajectories of economic and developmental cooperation, but have become a promising framework for a full-fledged strategic partnership responsive to the dynamics of the new international order. Egypt’s strategic location—which grants it a pivotal role in regional security and in connecting continents—complements Japan’s economic and technological strength, thereby creating unprecedented opportunities for cooperation. Success in deepening political understanding and broadening collaboration to include security, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions will make this relationship a pioneering model of Arab–Asian engagement and a powerful driver of Egypt’s and Japan’s standing in their respective regional and international arenas.
References:
[1] مصر و اليابان (العلاقات السياسية)، الهيئة العامة للاستعلامات، مايو 2025.
