In East Timor, a mobile library operated by a Japanese company travels around the area with picture books translated into the local language. Local students learning Japanese are involved in the translation work and are bringing the picture books to children.
In East Timor, a mobile library carrying Japanese picture books and illustrated reference books translated into the local language, Tetum, is traveling around the country. A Japanese company operates the service as part of its corporate social responsibility activities, while students from a local Japanese-language school handle the translation work. The vehicle currently travels around the area near Dili every weekend.
Local young people, including Monteiro, are participating in the translation work and working to learn unfamiliar words. Antoneta, a Japanese-language instructor at the National University of East Timor, is also taking part with her students, hoping the project will encourage children to develop a reading habit.
The project began against a backdrop in which government statistics for 2016 showed that approximately 4% of children owned 3 or more books, making it difficult for families to purchase books. The mobile library service was launched in August 2026 with donations of books and a vehicle from the NPO Good Life and the Japan Diplomatic Association, while local staff support its operation.