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Focus on Timor-Leste
Helping rebuild Timor-Leste.
Putting Timor-Leste Back Together Again
When Timor-Leste became the world's newest country in 2002, its future was bleak.
Following decades of conflict between Indonesian forces and local guerrillas, much of the state’s infrastructure had been destroyed. Many of its administrators had fled. Its less than one million people survive on a per capita GNI of around $750, one of the lowest in the world.
Japan, together with the United Nations and other international donors, for several years has been helping Timor-Leste to get back on its feet and bring a degree of stability to the fragile country.
Currently, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is involved in a series of projects to train newly inducted government officials, strengthen the country’s education section and its roads network, to improve coffee and rice output.
Timor-Leste – at a Glance
A brief look at one of the world’s newest and poorest countries.
Rebuilding a Government
Reconstructing a government virtually from scratch after most administrators fled widespread violence.
Engineering a Brighter Future
The country needs at least 50,000 engineers. Japanese experts help to teach the teachers.
Aikido Changes Her Life
A martial arts discipline has some unexpected results. For one woman it has changed her life.
More Rice for the Pot
Helping to improve the yields of rice, one of the staple foods in Timor-Leste, and improving the lot of farmers at the same time.
Saving Timor’s Roads
Mechanics, drivers and administrators are in short supply to maintain the country’s road infrastructure.
A Disastrous Year for Coffee
After a promising export drive to Japan, coffee growers face a disappointing harvest this year.
