DILI, 04 September 2025 (TATOLI) – Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão welcomed Professor Sachiko Hirakawa and a delegation from Japan’s Waseda University to the Government Palace in Dili on Thursday. The meeting highlighted the critical importance of friendship, dialogue, and cooperation between the youth of both nations.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of such exchanges, noting that they strengthen ties among young people while promoting the values of peace, dialogue, and solidarity between peoples.
“Today we welcomed friends from Japan who bring their youth closer to ours. These initiatives not only foster educational exchanges but also allow our young people to experience new cultures and, in the future, strengthen relations between Timor-Leste and Japan,” Gusmão said.
He added that such connections go beyond government-level engagement, extending to civil society, where they act as bridges between communities and enhance mutual understanding.
Meanwhile, Professor Sachiko Hirakawa said he was honored to meet the Prime Minister, describing him as “a distinguished leader and national hero.”
“This experience is remarkable and reinforces my responsibility to convey the message to young people in Japan. I hope relations between Japan and Timor-Leste deepen and expand, not only bilaterally but also from a global perspective,” Hirakawa said.
According to him, the meeting included moments of sharing experiences and lessons learned, saying education and youth dialogue are essential for building strong relations between the two countries.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
