ALGATEDZ – بوابة الجزائر

55th Anniversary of Algeria-Japan Relations
A Long History Shared by the Two Countries

Relations between Algeria and Japan date back to the same year as Algeria’s independence, namely July 1962. In reality, however, the relationship between the two countries goes back even further. It was particularly strengthened during the Algerian War of Liberation.

To commemorate the 55th anniversary of these relations, a commemorative gathering was held on July 4 at the National Museum of Illuminations, Miniature and Calligraphy. The event marked July 4, 1962, the day on which Japan and Algeria officially established diplomatic relations.

The establishment of diplomatic relations on July 4 was also an expression of the great respect and high regard shown by the Japanese people toward the Algerian people. It came at the very time when the results of the referendum were being proclaimed, in which the overwhelming majority of Algerians, throughout the country, rejected colonialism and expressed their determination to regain their full and definitive sovereignty.

In his address, Masaya Fujiwara, Ambassador of Japan to Algeria, stated:

“We share a long history with the Algerian people.”

Indeed, very strong ties united the Japanese and Algerian peoples during the Algerian War of Liberation. At that time, Japan is said to have supported the Algerian cause and strongly condemned the torture carried out by colonial forces during the Algerian Revolution.

Japanese students also organized a demonstration in Tokyo in solidarity with the Algerian fighters, expressing their full support for their struggle.

Baya Hachemi, a veteran of the Algerian liberation struggle who was active with the Provisional Government of the Algerian Republic (GPRA) in Tunis, also attended the Algerian-Japanese gathering at the National Museum of Illuminations, Miniature and Calligraphy and shared her testimony.

She explained:

“The Japanese students who demonstrated against torture at that time interpreted and expressed an immortal element of our ancestral heritage.”

The director of the National Museum of Illuminations, Miniature and Calligraphy, Samir Dendene, also emphasized the importance of highlighting the civilizational character of Algeria's national identity as part of the event commemorating 55 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Algeria.

He stated:

“Japan chose the National Museum of Illuminations, Miniature and Calligraphy to celebrate this important anniversary because it is located in a place filled with our history and reflects our illustrious and eternal cultural heritage: the Mustapha Pacha Palace, a jewel in the thousand-year-old city of the Casbah.”