Timor-Leste and Japan discuss bilateral cooperation during a meeting with a Japanese parliamentary delegation
On January 15th, 2026, Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Tourism and Environment Francisco Kalbuadi Lay welcomed a parliamentary delegation from Japan in Dili, at a meeting attended by Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Adérito Hugo da Costa. 
The meeting was part of the follow-up to Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects financed by Japan in Timor-Leste and included dialogue on bilateral cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, health, and education.
The Japanese parliamentary delegation comprised representatives from three political parties, namely Ishida Masahiro and Adachi Masashi from the Liberal Democratic Party, Koga Chikage from the Constitutional Democratic Party, and Ueda Kiyoshi from the Democratic Party, accompanied by the Japanese Ambassador to Timor-Leste, Yamamoto Yasushi.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed issues related to Japanese investment in Timor-Leste, including matters such as the private sector, strengthening the legal framework, project implementation, and oversight mechanisms for development programmes supported by partner countries.
The Vice Prime Minister emphasised bilateral cooperation to strengthen strategic sectors and acknowledged the contribution of the Japanese people to Timor-Leste during the most difficult periods of the national development process.
The Vice Minister for Parliamentary Affairs noted that the visit also offered an opportunity to discuss cooperation between the sovereign bodies of the two countries, particularly between their respective parliaments, and highlighted Japan's continued support for structural projects, including investment in the shipbuilding industry at the Laleia Administrative Post in the municipality of Manatuto.
The visit is part of the regular institutional relationship between Timor-Leste and Japan and of the monitoring of ongoing cooperation projects.
