3 The Situation in North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco)

(1) Egypt

Located at the geopolitical crossroads of the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Egypt is a regional power in the Middle East and North Africa with a population of over 100 million. Since the terror attacks by Hamas and others on October 7, the situation between Israel and Palestine has become increasingly tense. In response to the situation, Egypt has been playing an important role in the stability of the region by evacuating foreign nationals and others from the Gaza Strip, accepting humanitarian aid supplies from international organizations and countries around the world and transporting them to the Gaza Strip. Egypt has also been engaged in diplomatic efforts such as hosting the Cairo Summit for Peace, in order to calm the situation and prevent destabilization of the entire region and has lead discussions on the urgency of improving the humanitarian situation. In the presidential election held in December, the incumbent President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi was elected to a third term with 89.6% of the total vote through public support for his response to the situation in Gaza, paving the way for a long-term administration.

In relations with Japan, Prime Minister Kishida visited Egypt in April, becoming the first Japanese prime minister in eight years to do so, and held a summit meeting with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, and the two sides announced they would elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership (See the Special Feature on page 180). In September, Foreign Minister Hayashi visited Cairo, paid a courtesy call to President El-Sisi and held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry. He also took part in the Japan-Egypt-Jordan Trilateral Ministerial Consultations on the Middle East and the Third Japan-Arab Political Dialogue. In response to the worsening situation in Gaza, Prime Minister Kishida held telephone calls with President El-Sisi on October 17 and November 29, and also held the Japan-Egypt Summit Working Dinner with the Egyptian President on December 1 during the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held in the UAE. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international situations, and affirmed their close cooperation. In addition, Foreign Minister Kamikawa held telephone calls with Minister of Foreign Affairs Shoukry on October 12 and November 14, and also attended the Cairo Summit for Peace in October, which was attended by other high-level officials from major countries, and exchanged views with the summit chair, President El-Sisi.

Foreign Minister Hayashi attends the Third Japan-Arab Political Dialogue (September 5, Cairo, Egypt)

Since April 2019, Japan has dispatched two Self-Defense Force (SDF) personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) stationed in the Sinai Peninsula, while an additional two staff officers have been dispatched since July, bringing the total to four. Japan continues to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

(2) Libya

Although Libya is an energy powerhouse boasting the greatest oil reserves in Africa, after the collapse of the Qadhafi regime in 2011, the country remains unstable with political power split between the east and the west of the country. In April 2019, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, powerful commander of the eastern “Libyan National Army (LNA) ,” ordered an advance on Tripoli, leading to armed clashes. Since the two forces signed a permanent ceasefire agreement in October 2020, incidents of armed clashes between the eastern and western forces have decreased significantly. In September 2023, floods caused extensive damage, particularly in the eastern region of Derna.

On the political front, a basic agreement was reached at the United Nations-led political dialogue to hold a series of national elections, including a presidential election, on Independence Day, December 24, 2021, but these have yet to be held as of the end of 2023. Since February when Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, announced an initiative to hold elections within 2023, efforts led by the UN have continued to progress.

In response to the floods that occurred in eastern Libya in September, Japan provided emergency relief supplies through JICA and also provided emergency grant aid totaling 3 million U.S. dollars. In addition, in light of the certain extent of improvement in the security situation, the Embassy of Japan in Libya resumed operations in Tripoli in January 2024 for the first time since it was temporarily closed in July 2014.

(3) Maghreb Countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco)

The Maghreb region is of great economic importance in Africa due to its geographical advantage of being located at the junction of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and its great potential thanks to its abundant young labor force but continues to be faced with the challenge of how to overcome increasing poverty, regional economic disparities, high unemployment rate, and the impact of soaring food prices. There are also concerns about the security implications of the flow of weapons and illegal immigrants from Libya and the Sahel region.

In Tunisia, under the new constitution that came into effect in 2022, elections for the national assembly were held in December of that year and January 2023, and a new assembly was established. With Tunisia's economy and finances affected by factors such as Russia's aggression against Ukraine and climate change, attention is focused on whether the country will be able to undertake economic and social reforms.

In relations with Japan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada visited Tunisia in June and paid courtesy calls to Head of the Government Najla Bouden and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nabil Ammar. Mr. Yamada also served as the head of the Japanese delegation at the 11th Japan-Tunisia Joint Committee, where he exchanged views on general bilateral relations, the regional situation, and cooperation in the international arena. In September, Foreign Minister Hayashi held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ammar on the occasion of the Japan-Arab Political Dialogue in Egypt. Cooperation on the political front also progressed, with the Third Session of the Japanese-Tunisian Dialogue on Security and Counter-terrorism being held in December.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yamada, chair of the 11th Japan-Tunisia Joint Committee (June 16, Tunis, Tunisia)

In Algeria, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune newly took office in December 2019. As part of economic reforms aimed at realizing “a New Algeria« l'Algérie nouvelle»,” in 2022, he made amendments to the investment law among other changes. In November 2023, President Tebboune appointed Mr. Nadir Larbaoui as prime minister, and attention will be focused on how the administration will operate in the run-up to the president's re-election in the upcoming election in 2024.

In relations with Japan, economic relations are expected to become stronger with the signing of the Tax Convention between Japan and Algeria in February (effective January 20, 2024), and the Agreement for Establishment of the Japan-Algeria Intergovernmental Joint Economic Committee in July. In June, the Japan-Algeria Policy Consultations were held, and in December, bilateral Consultations on Counter Terrorism and Other Related Security Matters were held for the first time in 10 years. At these meetings, the two countries exchanged views on the circumstances of their regional situations and confirmed their close cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the UN Security Council, on which they will share seats in 2024. Moreover, bilateral relations are developing not only diplomatically but also in various other fields, such as the dispatch of fisheries experts from Japan through a JICA technical cooperation project and the participation of a Japanese film director in the Algiers International Comic Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Alger, FIBDA).

In Morocco, the coalition cabinet led by the leader of the National Rally of Independents (RNI), Aziz Akhannouch, which was formed following the September 2021 lower house elections, is focusing on implementing the “New Development Model” proposed by King Mohammed VI, in addition to reforms in health, education, social security, and taxes. Furthermore, Morocco is actively working toward a transition to a green economy to deal with climate change risks such as floods and droughts. In the wake of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck the mountainous region of central Morocco in September, which caused extensive damage, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) held their annual meetings in Marrakech in October, with Finance Minister SUZUKI Shunichi and Bank of Japan Governor UEDA Kazuo attending from Japan.

Regarding relations with Japan, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi El Alami made an official visit to Japan in March and met with members of the Diet. In September, Foreign Minister Hayashi held a Foreign Ministers' Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita during the Third Japan-Arab Political Dialogue held in Egypt, and the two ministers affirmed that they would further strengthen cooperative relations between the two countries in a broad range of fields. Additionally, in response to the earthquake that occurred in central Morocco that month, Japan provided emergency humanitarian assistance totaling 3 million U.S. dollars.

Saudi Arabia is considered a conservative and insular major power in the Middle East, where once movies and music were banned. Now, the country is changing at a level previously unimagined, such as lifting its ban on tourism and further advancing women in society, and exchanges with Japan are becoming more active.

halca Concert in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during Jeddah Events Calendar 2023 - Anime Village at City Walk

One such change has been the country's regular hosting of large-scale national entertainment events. In 2023, the “Jeddah Events Calendar 2023” was held in Jeddah, about an hour's drive from the Islamic holy city of Makkah (“Mecca” in English). From April to June, one event on the Calendar was the “Anime Village,” an event area for experiencing Japanese culture. There, many Japanese artists gave enthusiastic performances in the evening, and young locals turned out with great excitement.

In addition, “Japan Anime Town” was established in the “Boulevard World”¹ entertainment area in the capital city of Riyadh on the occasion of the “2022 Riyadh Season.” Japanese artists performed weekly here for about a month in December 2022.

A Japanese anime song singer, halca, who actually performed theme songs such as for the anime “Ｂｏｒｕｔｏ: Naruto Next Generations” at events in Jeddah and Riyadh, offered the following about her impressions.

(Comment from halca)

The time and experiences I have had in Riyadh and Jeddah have been invaluable to me. I feel great joy and gratitude for everything that happened to me in Saudi Arabia.

Wherever I went and whoever I met, everyone had a smile, and their rich expressions of emotion came through in many ways during my live performance. Some listened with hands raised in a gentle swaying motion, some used their fingertips, palms, and entire body to make heart signs at me, and others applauded loudly when I held my notes. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the music in their own way, which was so brilliant to see.

Both Riyadh and Jeddah were filled with extremely enthusiastic cheering, which made me feel fulfilled with passionate emotion, and I still feel that this experience was such a confidence booster for me. Through my own experience, I felt the potential for people to achieve great growth by recognizing and loving each other.

The memories of everyone in Saudi Arabia who welcomed me will stay with me for a long time to come. I also want to bring these beautiful feelings and memories back to Japan and tell everyone there how wonderful Saudi Arabia and its people are. I hope that the bonds between the two countries will be strengthened by putting our thoughts and feelings into music, animation, and many other things that transcend words.

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., which was contracted to dispatch Japanese artists to Jeddah, commented: “We are aware of the broad embrace of Japanese entertainment such as animation, games, and music in Saudi Arabia, where social and cultural liberalization has been remarkable. We hope to continue developing content and events that will please the people of Saudi Arabia.”

Prime Minister Kishida being greeted by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed (July 16, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)

In 2023, progress was made with political as well as cultural exchanges between the two countries. In July, Prime Minister Kishida told Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, with whom he met in Jeddah, that he named the second chapter of the “Japan-Saudi Vision 2030,” a cooperation framework between the two countries, as “The Journey,”² and he hoped to further expand cooperation. As the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia approaches in 2025, it is expected that as the two countries embark on a new journey, even more Japanese people will be able to experience the charms of this new Saudi Arabia and those exchanges will be deepened in an even wider range of fields and at an even more diverse level.

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• 1 “Boulevard World” was an area that showcases the cultures and cuisines of 10 countries around the world, including Japan, and allows visitors to experience each country through restaurants, markets, and arts
• 2 This name was inspired by the title of the animated film “The Journey,” a Japan-Saudi co-production in 2021 from a Saudi animation production company under the Misk Foundation, established by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed, and a Japanese animation production company

Prime Minister Abe once said that “the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) construction plan is a new landmark of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.” To bring about this future that he envisioned, Japan has been providing comprehensive cooperation toward the opening of the museum, including providing yen loans of approximately 84.2 billion Japanese yen (about 60% of the total construction cost) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the construction of GEM, providing technical cooperation for preserving and restoring collections and exhibits, exhibition methods, and museum operations, and assisting with restoring “King Khufu's Second Solar Boat,” which will be displayed in the annex.

Colossal statue of Ramses II in the Grand Hall

GEM, located about two kilometers north of the three Great Pyramids of Giza, is the largest museum in the world devoted to a single civilization (covering an area of approximately 47 hectares) and has a beautiful, modern design that is breathtaking. The exterior features a façade of translucent alabaster that changes its appearance from noon to night. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by the Grand Hall, which extends six-stories skyward to accommodate a colossal statue of Ramses II, who reigned about 3,200 years ago. Up the grand staircase lined with ancient Egyptian stone statues are the Tutankhamun Gallery, which houses the world-renowned collection of King Tutankhamun, and the permanent exhibition space, which features a collection spanning more than 3,000 years from the Old Kingdom to the Greco-Roman era. One can also enjoy a full view of the pyramids from large all-glass windows at the end of the grand staircase. What kind of architect designed such a stunning and wonderful museum worthy of displaying the greatest treasures of ancient Egypt?

More than 20 years ago, in January 2002, a museum design competition was announced to the entire world under the auspices of UNESCO. Ms. Heneghan and Mr. Peng of Dublin (Ireland) based architecture firm, heneghan peng architects, hopped on a plane to Egypt and rushed to the proposed site to conduct an inspection in preparation for submitting an application. Standing in that vast desert overlooking the pyramids of Giza, what did the two think about, what did they discuss, and what kind of design concepts did they envision? On the flight back to Dublin, they tore open a British Airways sickness bag from in front of their seats with their hands, and on it they drew a sketch of the museum design based on three axes, connecting the northern end of the proposed museum site with each summit of the three great pyramids of kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, rising south of the site.

heneghan peng architects' proposed architectural design connecting the pyramids from the north end of the museum

Image of the current museum taken from a drone

On June 2, 2003, in the following year, out of 1,557 entries from 83 countries, the up-and-coming Dublin-based heneghan peng architects won the Grand Prize, beating out a host of other world-class firms.

The “first step” of the construction of this beautiful GEM, which now soars before my eyes and fits in with the history of the pyramids of Giza, was a small drawing on an airplane sickness bag. It is a surprising and funny story worth being recorded as a part of the history behind this major museum construction project.

GEM has the attention of the world as it prepares to open. Many treasures that have never been exhibited before, including Tutankhamun's golden masks, will be on display. I have no doubt this grand project, achieved with support from Japan, will truly build a bridge between the two countries.