Public Relations and Culture

 

 

[Press Release]

 

The Government of Japan on July 15 presents the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. Michio Takahashi for his great contribution to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Timor-Leste and Japan.

 

July 15, 2009
Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste

 

 

　　The government of Japan presents the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. Michio Takahashi for his outstanding contribution to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Timor-Leste and Japan. He has become the first one to receive this honor among the individuals and groups who have contributed to the relations between Timor-Leste and Japan. The purpose of this Commendation are to praise those who have made the most distinguished contribution among many people working toward building friendly relations between Japan and other countries and to appeal the public for further understanding and support for those activities. The ceremony to confer the award takes place at the official residence of Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Iwao Kitahara on 13th of July, 2009. Acting Prime Minister (Vice Prime Minister) H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Guterres, Commander of F-FDTL Brigadier-General and Taur Matan Ruak are expected to join to celebrate this memorable occasion. President H.E. Dr. Jose Ramos Horta expressed his congratulations on the presentation of the Commendation to Mr. Takahashi.

　　Ambassador of Japan H.E. Mr. Iwao Kitahara says, “I am very happy to host this occasion to present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. Michio Takahashi in this year, the 10th Anniversary of the 1999 Referendum. There are no appropriate words to explain his great contribution to Timor-Leste”.

　　For more information, please contact the media officer, Ms. Ayako Koide at 723-1131 (English) or Ms. Marlina Gama at 729-5213 (Tetun).

 

 

 

    Introducing Mr. Michio Takahashi

     

    　　Born in 1939 in Sendai, a northern city of Japan, Mr. Takahashi was educated in Tohoku University’s Graduate Program in Economics.  His earlier engagement with Timor-Leste goes back to November 1986 when he organized a supporting group for Timorese self-determination in Sendai.  Mr. Takahashi’s commitment took him to the City of Darwin in Australia in December the same year, where he met a group of Timorese resistance movement.  In the following year in 1987, Mr. Takahashi organized Japan’s nation-wide network to support Timorese freedom, and his initiative turned into a movement to support Timorese in Japan.

    　　　　

    　　Among hundreds of meetings and “speaking tours” inviting Timorese to Japan to speak to Japanese public, Dr. Jose Ramos Horta in 1997 was invited to Sendai to give a speech on human rights. This speech was published in both English and Japanese.

    　　　　

    　　Mr. Takahashi is also an inspiring educator.  Already in 1987, Mr. Takahashi realized the importance of Timorese identity, a factor inseparable from self-determination of a nation.  Mr. Takahashi established a support group to promote the Tetun language in Sendai, and worked together with the resistance group in Darwin to expand Darwin Tetun School.  Mr. Takahashi was also indispensable force in supporting Melbourne Tetun School in 1996, and Lisbon Tetun School in 1997.

    　　　　

    　　Mr. Takahashi is also a linguist with passion for Timorese freedom. In August 1997, Mr. Takahashi organized the first international conference on Tetun language in Darwin. The second international conference was held in 1998 in Darwin, the third in July 1999 in Melbourne, and the fourth in December 1999-January 2000 in Dili. This fourth international conference in Dili was attended by Brigadier General Taur Matan Ruak. The linguist Mr. Takahashi initiated a publication of a historical chronology of Timor-Leste in Tetun, “Cronorogia kona ba Timor Lorosae.” This rare chronology was first published in 2000 for use in schools in Timor-Leste, and has been updated and enjoyed by school children ever since.

    　　　　

    　　The beginning of millennium, on January 1, 2000, Mr. Takahashi founded the Timor Lorosae Nippon Culture Centre (TNCC) with a goal of supporting three pillars of Timorese nation building, namely language, education, and agriculture. Through his effort, not only Tetun but also other local languages such as Makasae, Makalero, Makua, and Uaima’a, have been studied, and the documentations of these languages have been published.

    　　　　

    　　To his outstanding contribution to an orphanage facility in Laga, he received an award from The Pope John Paul the Second in March 2001. In May 2002, Mr. Takahashi was appointed as the honorable member of the Timorese Veteran’s Foundation. Mr. Takahashi is a frequent visitor to Timor-Leste, and on this time of visit – his 30th visit to Timor-Leste, Mr. Takahashi is commended by Japan’s Foreign Minister.

     

     

     

     

    (c) Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste　　Avenida de Portugal, Pantai Kelapa, Dili, Timor-Leste (P.O. Box 175) Tel: +670-3323131 Fax: +670-3323130