As Egypt inaugurates the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the most ambitious cultural projects in modern history, Japan’s role in bringing this vision to life stands as a story of partnership, perseverance, and shared admiration for heritage.
Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Iwai Fumio reflected on what this cooperation means to Japan and the personal pride he takes in witnessing the culmination of two decades of collaboration.
“I am proud that the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilisation has opened with Japan’s cooperation,” Fumio told Al-Ahram Weekly. “For more than 20 years, Japan and Egypt have worked side by side on the GEM, and today it stands as a landmark of our economic and cultural partnership.”
“For us, it is more than just a museum; it is a symbol that will represent Egypt for generations to come, and Japan’s contribution is a source of great honour,” the ambassador said.
He noted that the GEM carries significance not just for the governments but also for the people on both sides. “Many Japanese people have always been fascinated by the ancient Egyptian civilisation. With the opening of the GEM, even more of them will visit Egypt, deepening people-to-people connections while also contributing to tourism and broader socio-economic development,” Fumio said.
Beyond Egypt’s borders, the GEM is already regarded as a milestone in world culture. “It is not only the largest museum of its kind,” Fumio explained, “but also a centre where internationally renowned treasures, including the iconic collection of Tutankhamun, have been transferred, preserved, and restored.”
“The techniques developed here are valuable for museums across Egypt and for institutions around the world. The GEM’s opening will share both the allure of Egyptian civilisation and advanced conservation knowledge with a global audience.”
Perhaps the most profound achievements, he suggested, lie in the human connections that have been forged. Since 2008, around 120 Japanese experts have worked in Egypt, training more than 2,000 Egyptians in the delicate science of artefact preservation. Together, they have successfully restored 72 fragile objects, including murals and funerary items from the Tutankhamun collection.
“This exchange of knowledge was only possible because of the deep trust built over years of cooperation,” Fumio said, pointing particularly to the restoration of King Khufu’s Second Solar Boat as a remarkable project involving nearly 1,700 wooden components and led by Japanese expert Yoshimura Sakuji, who has devoted six decades to Egyptian archaeology.
“This is one of the greatest Egypt-Japan cultural projects, and though the restoration is not yet complete, visitors will be able to witness the process themselves at the GEM,” he added.
He described the official opening of the GEM as “a milestone in the long-standing friendship between Egypt and Japan,” adding that the GEM’s opening does not mark the end of Japan’s role. “On the contrary, Japan will continue to support the GEM in becoming a leading museum not only in this region but also in the world as a whole. From management to operations, we will keep dispatching personnel and building capacity. The GEM can also serve as a hub for sharing knowledge with other countries.”
He pointed to other projects in Egypt that have been carried out with the cooperation of Japan, such as the new Cairo Opera House in 1988, the UNESCO-Japan Trust Fund Project on the Restoration of the Tomb Murals of Amenhotep III that was implemented in three phases from 2000, and many other initiatives.
“Our cooperation is broad and enduring and is not confined to the GEM alone,” Fumio said, relating that Japan’s support also stretches far beyond culture alone. “From the Suez Peace Bridge to the Cairo Metro Line 4 and from the Children’s Hospital at Cairo University to the Borg Al-Arab Airport and the Dairut Barrage, our cooperation underpins essential infrastructure and services for Egyptian society,” he said.
“In education, projects such as the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) and the Egypt-Japan School initiative continue to flourish. Our relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, and we are determined to respond to Egypt’s needs in ways that truly serve its people.”
Looking ahead, he was reflective and hopeful. “The GEM will not only be a source of pride for Egyptians but also a monument to Egypt’s strength and to the friendship between our two nations. It will build bridges of culture, understanding, peace, and cooperation among peoples. Japan will always stand with Egypt in preserving its heritage and supporting its development,” the ambassador concluded.
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