The occasion also marks Japan and Egypt's 70th anniversary of development cooperation.

"Thank you very much for joining our reception today, though a Moulid El-Nabi holiday, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. After World War II, through joining the United Nations in 1956, Japan has continued to work for global peace and stability as a peace-loving nation. This year marks the 70th anniversary of development cooperation between Japan and Egypt, which began in 1954," Hiroshi said during the celebration.

Over the 70 years, Japan has made significant contributions to development in Egypt in a wide range of fields, including infrastructure and education.

"The training ship Aida 4, donated by Japan to the Arab Academy for Maritime Transport, has trained more than 1,300 ship personnel from 37 countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Djibouti, and has contributed to the safety of navigation for more than 30 years," he added.

Egypt is Japan's strategic partner in the region
 

Based on this long-standing friendship and mutual trust, President El-Sisi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed, when he visited Egypt in 2023, to upgrade the relationship between the two countries to a "strategic partnership" and to advance cooperation under the vision of "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," Hiroshi noted.

"Since then, two Japanese foreign ministers have paid their visits to Egypt," he clarified.

The Japanese ambassador stated that Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty visited Japan in August to participate in the TICAD Ministerial Conference on African Development, hosted by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yuko Kamikawa.

At that time, the two foreign ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation for peace and stability in the Middle East and Africa as strategic partners.

Hiroshi said the 2023 JSDF Day reception was postponed due to the evacuation operation from the Gaza Strip.

"We thank the Egyptian government profusely for its support, including the airlift provided by the Egyptian military, which enabled the successful evacuation of Japanese nationals and their families," he continued.

Moreover, the ambassador expressed sadness over the loss of so many precious lives in the Gaza war, which continues now for more than 11 months.

"We would like to express our sincere condolences. It hurts us deeply that so many innocent civilians remain in tragic situations in Gaza," he added.

Japan's efforts in Gaza war
 

In March, as the chair of the Security Council, Japan worked hard to get a Gaza ceasefire resolution passed, the Japanese ambassador noted.

"As a member of the Security Council, the Japanese government will continue to actively engage in diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance to achieve both an immediate ceasefire and release of all hostages," he stressed.

Japan has provided approximately $130 million worth of humanitarian assistance since the start of the Gaza war, including in-kind assistance by the Japanese government under the International Peace Cooperation Act and by JICA, to support the Palestinians, he revealed.

It has also offered assistance through international organizations, including a $32 million contribution to the UNRWA.

In addition, Japan is providing grant aid worth $8.3 million through WHO to support Egypt's medical systems, which generously accept Palestinians for medical treatment, he stated.

"Japan will continue to work with international partners, including the Egyptian Red Crescent, to provide assistance that will meet the local needs promptly," Ambassador Hiroshi affirmed.

Established in 1954, the JSDF defends Japan's homeland and actively participates in UN peacekeeping operations, he explained.

He disclosed that in the Middle East and Africa, the JSDF members are currently deployed as headquarters personnel to UNMIS in South Sudan.

"To make a more active contribution to peace and stability in the international community, in addition to her participation in UN PKOs, Japan enacted Peace and Security Legislation. Based on this legislation, Japan has been dispatching, since 2019, two senior officers of the Ground Self-Defense Force and an additional two officers since last year, four personnel in total, to the headquarters of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), in addition to providing financial support since 1988," Hiroshi revealed.

The four JSDF officers deployed at the MFO attended the celebration.

"It is my great pleasure to introduce them in order: Lt. Colonel Tatsuya Moritake, Major Yoshihiro Yamada, Major Hiroshi Ninomiya, and Sergeant Major Masaaki Mori," the ambassador expressed.

Those officers received encouragement from State Minister Kudo of the cabinet office last week when he visited the MFO in the Sinai Peninsula.

He expressed his thanks for the understanding and cooperation of the Egyptian government in carrying out its duties safely and effectively.

"On behalf of the Japanese government, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and respect for Egypt's efforts toward peace in the region," he said.

"Japan will continue to work with Egypt and other partner countries for maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on international law," Hiroshi concluded.