Bella Galhos

Portrait of Bella Galhos

Country	Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Title	Advisor to the President of Timor-Leste
Duration	June 24th (Wednesday) - July 3rd (Friday), 2026
Places of stay	Tokyo, Ishikawa, Osaka
Visits and meetings	Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI), Kenrokuen, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Budoono Mori, CACL Inc., Nomura-ke Samurai Residence, Higashi Chaya District, Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Guest lecture at Sophia University, Ishizaka Inc., Earth Company, Zero Waste Japan, Katariba “Adachi Base” (in order of visit) .

In addition to the visits listed above, Ms. Galhos participated as a speaker in the talk session “Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Membership and Future Prospects” co-hosted by the Japan Foundation and the Institute of Asian, African, and Middle Eastern Studies, Sophia University, held on June 29th (Monday).

Report

Ms. Bella Galhos, currently serving as an Advisor to the President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, has been directly involved in the country’s independence movement, contributed to nation-building efforts, and dedicated herself to grassroots initiatives aimed at creating social change for future generations.

In Japan, where a wide range of social challenges are being addressed, innovative approaches are creating new value through ingenuity while promoting nature restoration and sustainable development in partnership with local communities. During her approximately ten-day stay in Japan, Ms. Galhos visited sites engaged in environmental conservation, community development, and social entrepreneurship to deepen her knowledge and understanding. She also exchanged views on social transformation through youth leadership development and the promotion of women’s empowerment.

Ms. Galhos also spoke at a public talk session, where she discussed the challenges Timor-Leste faces following its accession to ASEAN, her own initiatives, and her vision for the country’s future.

Reflecting on her ten days of activities in Japan, Ms. Galhos commented, “As I consider how to address the urgent challenges facing Timor-Leste, my experiences in Japan have provided valuable insights and practical lessons. I hope to translate these learnings into concrete actions in the future.” We hope that these experiences will contribute to Timor-Leste’s efforts to overcome these challenges and build a better future. We also hope that the perspectives and experiences brought by Mr. Galhos will provide valuable insights for the Japanese counterparts as well, and that this mutually beneficial exchange will serve as a foundation for continued cooperation in the years ahead.

The photo shows four people, including Bella Galhos, standing side by side.
At the JWLI office in Tokyo. From left: Ms. Eiko Oshima, Ms. Galhos, Ms. Sachiko Yunoki, and Ms. Yuki Kusano

A photo of Bella Galhos and a man at Kenroku-en Garden.
With Mr. Naoto Uda, Chairman of the Kenrokuen Tourism Association, Kanazawa

Three people, including Bella Galhos, are talking while spreading out a map on a restaurant table.
At Budoono Mori, Kanazawa

In front of a Japanese house, there are five people, including Bella Galhos.
At the CACL Inc. in Nomi, Ishikawa. From left: Irabela (Ms. Galhos’s daughter), Mr. Junichi Okuyama, Ms. Galhos, lacquer artists Mr. Hideka Tsuji and Mr. Hidenobu Keizuka

A scene from the talk session featuring Bella Galhos.
Talk session at Sophia University, Tokyo

A man is explaining something to Bella Galhos.
With Mr. Yasuhiro Tomokuni, Executive Officer of Ishizaka Inc., Saitama

There is Bella Galhos, two interviewers, and one cameraman.
Media interview at the Japan Foundation Headquarters, Tokyo.

A woman and Bella Galhos are smiling in the photo.
With Ms. Akira Sakano, Representative Director of Zero Waste Japan, Tokyo

The photo shows Bella Galhos, a man, and a boy.
With Mr. Yuki Nogura, Program Manager of Adachi Base, Katariba, Tokyo

Press Release (in Japanese)

「BBC が選ぶ100人の女性」選出の東ティモール大統領首席顧問を招へい

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