DILI, 06 august 2022 (TATOLI) – The Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Kinefuchi Masami urged Japanese-Language learners in Timor-Leste to improve their Japanese and English language skills to apply for scholarships and other internship programs offered by the Japanese government.
Since the establishment of the Japanese-Timor-Leste relationship 20 years ago, the government of Japan has provided opportunities to more than 2000 young Timorese to learn the Japanese culture and Japanese language through Japan Internship programs, of which more than 150 completed their master’s and bachelor’s degrees at some of the best global universities in Japan.
“Apart from learning the Japanese language, I would like to encourage Japanese-Language learners to improve their English skills to apply for various scholarships offered by the government of Japan,” Ambassador Kinefuchi made the comments during the reception for the Japanese Language Course students at the Japanese embassy, in Dili, today.
More than 80 students from five different Japanese Language Learning Centers in Timor-Leste were present at the reception – Youth Men Christian Association (YMCA), St. Rafaela, UNTL Center, Mirai-Sat, and Quesadhip Ruak Center.
“I hope that one day you will be going to Japan like those who have been there before,” said Kinefuchi.
He said the reception for Japanese-Language Course students was part of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Japan-Timor-Leste’s bilateral relationship.
Japan plans to take workers from Timor-Leste
Kinefuchi stressed that the Japanese government also has planned to take workers from Timor-Leste to work in Japan.
“Therefore, I would like to encourage these students to learn the Japanese Language and Japanese Culture to apply to work in Japan, in the future,” he said.
Kinefuchi said currently the discussion between Japan and Dili, including Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to Japan on recruiting Timorese workers to Japan, is underway.
“So far, we have no Timorese working in Japan, but we are planning to take young Timorese people to be employed in our country,” Kinefuchi emphasized.
He said every year more than 300.000 migrant workers across the globe apply to work in Japan: “I hope Timorese people can apply to the Japanese Migrant Workers program as well.”
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
