HIROSHIMA, 15 May 2026 — On the sixth day of the official working visit to Hiroshima, H.E. Mrs. Dulce de Jesus Soares, Minister of Education of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, together with the delegation, concluded the visit in Hiroshima by visiting one of the traditional sake breweries in the region.
During the visit, the Minister and the delegation received detailed information about the sake production process, from the initial preparation stages to the final product, which today represents one of Japan’s most well-known traditional beverages and cultural symbols. The visit also provided valuable insights into how Japan preserves local cultural heritage while promoting community-based industries and tourism, an experience that may serve as inspiration for the development of local economic and cultural potential in Timor-Leste.
Visit to Shiwa Integrated School
The Minister and delegation later continued their visit to Shiwa Integrated Elementary and Junior High School in Hiroshima. Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the school principal, teachers, and staff members.
As in previous school visits, the Minister and delegation had the opportunity to observe classroom teaching methodologies and laboratory research activities conducted by junior high school students. The delegation also learned how the school fosters discipline, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking skills among students through active and participatory learning approaches.
Supporting Educational Reform
For Timor-Leste, the visit provided important opportunities to broaden understanding of school management practices, improve the quality of teaching and learning, strengthen teacher capacity development, and enhance student learning culture. The experiences and best practices observed during the visit are expected to serve as valuable references in supporting ongoing educational reforms and human resource development efforts in Timor-Leste.
The visit concluded with a group photograph session and an exchange of gifts as a symbol of the growing friendship and cooperation between Timor-Leste and Japan, particularly in the fields of education and human resource development.
