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Fez — Morocco’s National Foundation of Museums (FNM) and the Tokyo National Museum have signed a memorandum of understanding in Rabat, opening a new chapter in cultural cooperation between Morocco and Japan.
The agreement was signed today during an official ceremony at the residence of Japan’s ambassador to Morocco. It brings together the National Foundation of Museums and Tokyo National Museum, Japan’s oldest museum institution.
Founded in 1872, Tokyo National Museum describes itself as Japan’s oldest institution of its kind and holds about 120,000 objects, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
Tokyo chooses Morocco as first African partner
Nakata Masahiro, Japans ambassador to Morocco, described the signing as a historic moment, noting that Morocco is the museum’s first African partner country for this type of cooperation.
“This is a historical moment because Tokyo National Museum chose Morocco as the first African partner country for cooperation,” the Masahiro told MWN.
The ambassador added that the two sides are looking forward to exhibition exchanges, restoration cooperation, training, and other museum-related initiatives.
The signing also comes as Morocco and Japan mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026.
A partnership rooted in cultural diplomacy
Lakhlifa Dahmani, secretary-general of the National Foundation of Museums, said the agreement falls within Morocco’s broader vision of making culture a driver of development.
“The signing of this partnership agreement comes within the framework of the royal vision that made culture a lever for economic and social development,” Dahmani told Morocco World News (MWN).
He added that the agreement reflects the foundation’s openness to international experiences, while promoting Morocco’s cultural heritage abroad.
Dahmani said the partnership will also give Moroccans more opportunities to discover other cultures and museum experiences.
The agreement aims to strengthen museum cooperation, support exchanges between experts from both countries, and organize exhibitions in Morocco and Japan.
Exhibitions, training, and shared heritage
The MoU is expected to create a framework for future Moroccan exhibitions in Japan and Japanese exhibitions in Morocco. It will also support knowledge-sharing in conservation, restoration, research, and digital mediation.
For Morocco, the agreement adds to efforts to strengthen the international presence of its museums and present Moroccan heritage to wider audiences.
For Japan, the partnership opens a new cultural bridge with Africa through Morocco, a country often positioned as a meeting point between Africa, the Arab world, and the Mediterranean.
The agreement reflects a growing belief that museums are not only spaces for preservation, but also platforms for diplomacy, education, and shared understanding between peoples.
