Prof. Salwa Rashad, Dean of the Faculty of Al-Alsun at Ain Shams University and Supervisor of the Japanese Language Department, opened the Japanese Cultural Day activities, in the presence of His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador to Egypt, Mr. Oka Hiroshi and his wife, Mr. Anodera Kento, Deputy Director of the Japan Foundation Office in Cairo, and a number of guests from the Japanese Embassy and the Foundation. Japan in Cairo, and a group of faculty staff, teaching assistants, and students in the Japanese Language Department.

Prof. Salwa Rashad, Dean of the Faculty, confirmed during her speech that next September will mark 24 years since the establishment of the Japanese Language Department at the Faculty of Al-Alsun, Ain Shams University, where more than 400 male and female graduates have graduated during the period from 2004 to date over a period of 20 years.

She continued her speech by noting that the Japanese Cultural Day is one of the established traditions and distinctive signs of the Japanese Language Department at the faculty since the beginning of holding the first Japanese Cultural Day celebration in the department in 2012, as this Japanese Cultural Day plays an important role in raising the level of awareness among the department’s students. Especially students who are new to the language, who are students in the first and second year, and increase their information and knowledge about Japanese culture, in addition to learning the language, which is a vessel for that culture.

Prof. Salwa Rashad expressed that the Faculty of Al-Alsun and the Japanese Language Department welcoming the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan in Cairo to this important celebration, because this visit carries an important message that expresses the extent of the support and interest of the Japanese Embassy in teaching the Japanese language and introducing Japanese culture in Egypt, taking into account the strong relations that bind Egypt. And Japan in various fields, which reached the level of strategic partnership after the visit of His Excellency the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Kishida Fumio, to Egypt last year.

Prof. Salwa Rashad extends her thanks and appreciation to the Embassy of Japan in Cairo, as well as to the Japan Foundation in Cairo, for the great support they have provided to the Japanese Language Department since the establishment of the department, including support with educational tools, scientific and educational books in the Japanese language, and other scholarships for students and graduates of the department.

His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador delivered a speech in the Japanese language, which was translated by the department’s fourth-year students, during which he expressed his sincere thanks for the invitation to attend the Japanese Cultural Day, pointing out that since his arrival in Egypt nearly two and a half years ago, he had been impressed by the long-term friendship relations that exceeded one hundred years between Japan and Egypt. About 160 years ago, before the development of Japan, a Japanese delegation visited Egypt, which had a great impact on the relations between the two countries.

He added that in 1922, Japan was the first Asian country to recognize Egypt's independence, and he referred to the visit made by Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Kishida Fumio to Egypt last year, during which it was agreed with President Sisi to develop relations between the two countries and raise them to the level of a strategic partnership, which makes relations between Japan and Egypt today reach strong cooperation relations in multiple fields such as politics, economics, culture and education.

The ambassador added, “It is known that Japan is called “Planet Japan,” but what many do not know is that Japan also shares Egypt’s feelings of admiration.

He pointed out that Egypt's stability is necessary for the stability of the region, and that Japan intends to strengthen cooperation with Egypt, especially in light of the prevailing tensions in the region.

He continued his speech by noting that this year marks the seventieth anniversary of the start of cooperation between Japan and Egypt in the field of development. There are many tangible effects of this cooperation, which are represented by the Opera House, the Peace Bridge, Abu Al-Rish Pediatric Hospital, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and others.

Moreover, there are many Egyptian students studying in Japan from Ain Shams University, and he pointed out that it is important for Egyptian and Japanese youth who will bear responsibility for the future of their country and culture to know each other, because this is of great importance for building friendly relations between the two countries, he expressed his hope that many Ain Shams University students will remain interested in studying in Japan in the future.

The Japanese ambassador continued his speech by stressing that Ain Shams University is considered one of the centers of cooperation in the field of health care between Japan and Egypt, against the backdrop of the support that Japan provides to Egyptian efforts to introduce a comprehensive health insurance system for citizens. Japan and Egypt are working in joint cooperation to receive many experts in the field of health care from Africa in order to enhance the spread of the comprehensive health insurance system in Africa and provide high-quality medical services to many.

In addition, Ain Shams University works on cooperation regarding community support activities. This is through non-governmental educational centers called “Kumincan” from the perspective of supporting lifelong education.

Regarding archaeology and Egyptology, which is one of the fields that greatly attracts the Japanese, there is a greater opportunity for cooperation with Ain Shams University in this field as well, given that the former Minister of Antiquities is a graduate of Ain Shams University.

The Japanese ambassador continued his speech by stressing that there is an enhancement of cooperation in the field of engineering, which is considered one of the strongest fields of education in Japan. He expressed his aspiration that these broad exchanges with Ain Shams University would lead to the development of friendly relations between Japan and Egypt in the future.

Also Prof. Salwa Rashad presented the Faculty of Al-Alsun’s shield to His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Oka Hiroshi, in appreciation of the great efforts and continuous support provided by the Embassy of Japan in Cairo to the Japanese Language Department since its establishment in 2000.

It is worth noting that the Japanese Cultural Day in the Japanese Language Department at the Faculty of Al-Alsun is held annually under the follow-up and coordination of Dr. Muhammad Abd al-Rahman Ashiba, a Lecturer in the department, and members of the teaching assistants at the Department: Prof. Raafat Jaber and Prof. Youmna Walid and Prof. Nada Taha, who supervises the implementation of this celebration and distributes roles to the department’s students in the four teams, to form work teams that will work on designing and implementing this program and sections of this celebration within a unique organizational framework that reflects the high ability of Egyptian youth - represented by the students of the Japanese Language Department - to organize, work together, and present the best creative capabilities of Egyptian youth.

During this celebration, the students presented many theatrical and singing performances and traditional Japanese dances while wearing the traditional Japanese costume “Yukata,” thus providing a vivid introduction to Japanese culture, while at the same time displaying their various talents and skills.

The art of shodo (Japanese calligraphy) and the art of origami (folding paper to make different shapes) will also be introduced, and the public will be given the opportunity to experience these arts for themselves.

Mr. Onodera, Deputy Director of the Japan Foundation Office in Cairo, and a number of his fellow Foundation employees presented a number of musical pieces on a Japanese musical instrument known as “Koto,” which is close to the zither. He also introduced the audience to the history of this musical instrument and its importance in Japanese culture.