Author: Admin
P.A Updates
Experience of a lifetime
Every job offers knowledge but the experiences of
being a Project Administrator is quite special. Dealing
with elderly people is challenging but rewarding, on
November 4, 2017, the PNLSC celebrated the 209
Approved Shuseki. Every P.A. and former PA are
grateful with their job because they help other people
to be recognized as Japanese Citizen. Even though
some cases are difficult, PA will do their best to get
a positive judgment, as looking for evidences is not
easy because all the documents during the war were
destroyed and witnesses are no longer around. Some
of the PA is tearful because of the experience of the
2nd gen that you can’t imagine that they overcome
all the hardships without their fathers. Even though
some descendants are already recognized they
are still longing for their father and to be with them.
Seeing them happy will make you feel blissful for the
very reason that you know you were able to help them
become Japanese Citizens.
We as PA will continue in the research and
fieldworks for our unrecognized descendants and
fulfill their dreams.
Ganbarimashou!!!
JPIC Updates
Part 1 of this article quoted the saying of a wise man that goes this way—“Do not be afraid of changes but be sensitive to something changing.” But what if changes or things that changes, changed in a blink of an eye? how then to cope up with changes with composure and finesse? Indeed, the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2017 was a very busy time for Japan Philippine Industry Council with so many activities, programs, meetings to attend to, endless movement of Nikkei jins in Japan whether or not the outcome is good. On July 2, 2017, was the JPIC Convention held in Naha, Okinawa Japan. There were 15 members who attended the convention. Election of officers was held. The new officers for 2017–2019 are
as follows:
August 2, 2017, paid a courtesy visit to Consul and Counselor Toshio Kawauchi of the Japanese Embassy in Manila. The meeting was very cordial and fruitful as some important matters about Nikkei jins as well as Japanese living in the Philippines were discussed. On the same date, had a fellowship dinner with Federation President Mallari, PNJK President Escovilla, and PNJK staff at Café Tavera in Davao City.
On August 3–4, 2017, conducted a meeting with the 2017–2018 JPIC Scholars and parents at PNJKIS main campus and Calinan campus respectively. The scholars gave their “Thank You Cards” and prepared a program for Tokumitsu Shacho.
On August 4, 2017, met with the 4th generation Nikkei jins of Manila Central Luzon Nippi, Inc. Thereafter, had a meeting with Manila Nippi President Stephen Buni, Atty. Pacsi, and Mr. Darauay and Mr. Rogel Garidan and PNLSC staff Ms Marie and Ms. Emie.
Matters discussed were about Manila Nikkei jins concerns and problems and profile, reliability and stability of some JPIC members.
Tokumitsu kaichou assured Manila Nippi that all the JPIC members are of good moral and financial standing and all members are credible and sincere in their efforts to provide the Nikkei jins with good source of livelihood in Japan.
On August 22, 2017, another JPIC member Triumph Co., Ltd. President. Masaaki Hanzawa and Mr. Russell Rowe Montajes with Eve paid a courtesy visit to Consul and Counselor Toshio Kawauchi.
On October 11, 2017, JPIC members headed by Tokumitsu Kaicho, Hoshi Shacho, Sekino Kaicho, Komata Jyomu, Ohtsubo Shacho, Beulah San, Kanazume Kaicho, Yoshimoto San attended the 25th PNJK-IS Founding Anniversary. JPIC presented the school with monetary gift.
On October 22, 2017, was the JPIC Directors’ Meeting at PNLSC Yotsuya, Tokyo, Japan. Fellowship Dinner at Hokkaido Yotsuya Restaurant followed afterwards. In attendance were JPIC Tokumitsu Kaicho, Sekino Kaicho, Komata Jyoumu, Kawagishi Shacho and Eve, Atty. Kawai, Atty. Mochizuki, Mr. Inomata, Ms. Ishii, Rengokai President Mallari, PNJK President Ecovilla, Ms. Apigo, Ms. Tagud, Ms. Iwamoto, NIPPI President Buni, Mr. Darauay, Mr. Garidan.
October 23–25, 2017, attended the 58th Kai Gai Nikkei Tai Kai with PNJK-Davao and NIPPIManila delegates.
A Welcome Party was hosted by the Imperial Family and attended by no less than their Royal Highness Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
In the evening of 24th was a dinner hosted by MOFA headed by the new Foreign Minister H.E Taro Kono.
November 4, 2017, Tokumitsu Kaicho, Ito Shacho and Eve attended the Philippine Nikkei jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. General Assembly at Pan Pacific Hotel, Manila followed by the PNLSC, Inc. Management Meeting.
Atty. Kawai proudly announced that PNLSC was able to achieve 209 approved shuseki within 5 years. Indeed, an achievement worthy of a grand celebration.
“おつかれさまです!”
58th Convention
Sunday, October 22, 2017, in the afternoon, one of the PNJK officials Ms. Elizabeth Tagud joined the 3rd International Nikkei Karaoke Festival a singing contest held prior to the start of the convention. It was the first time for the Philippines to join the contest and with no rehearsal and alone Ms. Tagud received a special award
for her rendition of Teresa Teng’s “Toki no Nagare” with much gusto.
The “58th Kai Gai Nikkei Jin Tai Kai” or the Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad with the theme “Working together for Tokyo 2020!” was held on October 23–25, 2017, in Tokyo, Japan. The Davao delegation was headed by the Federation President Mallari, PNJK President Escovilla, PNJK Board members Ms. Apigo, Ms. Iwamoto, Ms. Tagud, and Ms. Kita while the Manila delegation by Nippi President
Buni, Nippi director Mr. Darauay, Mr. Garidan, and the Nakachi Family of Palawan. They were joined in Tokyo by JPIC President Tokumitsu and JPIC Coordinator Eve. A great number of participants came from the Philippines noting the presence of delegates from Davao and Manila Nippi Chapters.
In the evening of the same date the delegates had a Fellowship Dinner hosted by JPIC. The dinner even became special as Atty. Kawai, Atty. Mochizuki, Mr. Inomata, and Ms. Ishii graced the event. Everyone was excited when Atty. Kawai announced that he is going to produce a movie about the descendants, those who are still active and well might be asked to play cameo roles to showcase the travails encountered by the Nikkei jins. The movie will be titled “Forgotten by the Japanese.” The evening became even livelier when Ms. Tagud was requested to sing her winning piece and accompanied by Mr. Sekino. All left sporting a happy mood despite the heavy downpour.
October 23, 2017, was the official opening of the convention at Kensei Kinenkan. A Welcome Party was hosted by the Imperial Family and attended by no less than their Royal Highness Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
October 24, 2017, was the International Symposium. The topics for panel discussion were: @ Collaboration with the Nikkei Communities through Sports @ Nikkei Business Collaboration and @ What does “2020” mean for the Nikkei Youth. Some delegates opted to join the Official Tour but everyone gathered in the evening to attend the Welcome Reception hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. The new minister H.E. Taro Kono gave an inspiring message. Afterwards the attendees were afforded with picture taking together with the good MOFA minister.
October 25, 2017, was the Announcement of the Conference Declaration. It was announced that the 59th Convention of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad will be held in Hawaii. It is also the 150th Anniversary of migration abroad. In commemoration of this, the 59th International Nikkei Competition will be held in Hawaii. “ALOHA.”
Philippine-Japan Festival
Philippine-Japan festival is an annual activity participated in by the PNJK family composed of the mother association, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc., the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai – International School, the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Polyclinic and Diagnostic Center and the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Multipurpose Cooperative. The Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School Calinan Branch likewise joined the festival by a dance presentation rendered by the teachers in Calinan School.
Considering that PNJK-International School is on its 25th Founding Anniversary we witnessed the most elegant and luxurious gala night where all attendees were in their best form wearing bright, glittering and attractive gowns drawing oohs and wows from the audience.
Teaching and non-teaching staffs including members of the Board of Trustees were recipients of service awards. Those who attended as well became recipients of reasonable and fairsubsidy as the school management felt that all who had contributed their talents and helped lift the good image of the institution deserved to be compensated.
The celebration was a success. Majority of our partners from Japan came just to witness this celebration. JPIC group headed by its President Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu was around.
Government officials found the time to be with us during the kick-off program and everyone enjoyed the various cultural presentations giving justice to this year’s theme: Philippine Japan Festival 2017: A celebration of History, Cultural Heritage and Friendship. Congratulations to all PNJK Family and to PNJK-IS as celebrating a founding anniversary with grandeur is priceless.