Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste
在東ティモール日本国大使館

The Ambassador's Speech

 

　Thank you very much for your presence today. It is truly a great honor and a privilege for me to celebrate together with all of you the 76th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan at this newly built residence. His Majesty will turn 76 years old on the 23rd of December. His Majesty ascended the throne on the 7th of January twenty years ago. His Majesty is in good health condition. April this year marked the 50th anniversary of the marriage of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. One of the important areas of His Majesty’s activities is international friendship. On the occasion of the recent anniversary of Independence Declaration of Timor-Leste, His Majesty sent a congratulatory message to His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste.

 

　In Timor-Leste, this year is special, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Popular Consultation. With great efforts and sacrifices by predecessors, leaders and the people, peace and stability were brought into reality and are being consolidated here today. I would like to share your joys and express my tribute to the efforts and sacrifices.

 

　Presently, Timor-Leste is making nation building efforts under the motto of Good-bye Conflict, Welcome Development. Japan will keep working closely with Timor-Leste and extending full support on a basis of the ownership of Timor-Leste and mutual respect.

 

　One year has elapsed since my arrival here. I have visited all 13 districts. I could sense peace in all districts. I have learned words such as KAER LIMAN, LA’O HAMUTUK from Timorese people. I have also learned songs such as INA LOU, O DOBEN and O RAI TIMOR. I am happy with myself who is fond of Timor-Leste more than anything else. There are approximately 100 Japanese residents in Timor-Leste. They are members of JICA, NGOs, religious groups, private businesses, United Nations, the embassy and so forth. All these Japanese residents including me are great fans of Timor-Leste.

 

　Among others, young people and children are invaluable asset who will carry the future of this country. If young people and children are FORTE, NASAUN MOS FORTE! As other donor countries do, Japan keeps working with the government of Timor-Leste to nurture the young and children.

 

　Today, we have H. E. President Ramos-Horta and the high school students planting sandalwood trees at a corner on this premise. Sandalwood could be said to be a symbol of trees of Timor-Leste. I am aware that Timor-Leste has been endeavoring at planting many kinds of trees like sandalwood in order to reserve forests for future generations. I, as one of the Timor-Leste fans, sincerely hope Rai Timor-Leste will be a country surrounded by many greens filling with smiling faces of Timorese people in the future.

 

　Kaer Liman Hamutuk, Servisu Hamutuk, Lao Hamutuk. I firmly believe that you can, because you can do. (ITA BELE, TAMBA ITA BELE DUNI!)

 

　Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

 

　Thank you very much.