JAPAN-PHILIPPINES INDUSTRY COUNCIL (JPIC)

     

  Please allow me to convey my profound appreciation and gratitude for the opening of the 9^th National Convention of the Filipino-Japanese Descendants.

        After World War II, the Descendants were forced to face to hardship and to deal with the problems like discrimination, ignorance, poverty, citizenship and so on. But even under the circumstances, you overcame them and are struggling sturdily through your hard work which is one of the core values of the Japanese.  First, we acknowledge and appreciate your great effort in the field of business as well as academics.

        Now I would like to review the history briefly. In 2005, it’s a significant year for the society of Filipino-Japanese descendants because the joint team of Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai of Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., we, Japan Philippine Industry Council and some volunteers could find the Koseki tohon or the true copies of the Family Register of some of the families thanks to the huge support from the Japanese government, in addition to the great financial assistance from the Nippon Foundation led by Chairman Mr. Sasakawa and President Mr. Ogata. Then we could start the project for those who were classified as Category C, so that they get legal recognition as Japanese descendants. We conducted the investigation intensively; however there were so many families of descendants who did not keep any proof of identity as Japanese.

        This was the start of the shuseki project initiated by PNLSC, chapters of the Nikkei Jin Kai in the Philippines and the Nippon Foundation.

        From 2005 and until now, as a fruit of this project, many families were recognized by Japanese government and have gone to Japan to meet their family or relatives there. But unfortunately as for the Category B and C families, a number of 1, 199 and 282 respectively still haven’t been recognized.

        I believe that the efficient team of the Federation will face seriously and resolve these difficulties. Today, it’s the special day of visit of their Majesties Emperor and Empress of Japan here in the Philippines.  We are assembled here to unite and build a stronger bond throughout the society of Filipino-Japanese descendant’s nationwide.

        Japan and Philippines are different countries but you are the tie of both. Let us continue the effort, deepen further the communication and promote cultural exchange for peace and prosperity.

        We, JPIC also will continue to make contribution for you as much as possible. May your life and future be filled with delight and positivity.

        Mabuhay!

              YOSHIHIRO TOKUMITSU
President, Japan Philippine Industry Council
                  Manila, Philippines

 

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TOKYO, JAPAN

        My warmest congratulations to the Philippines Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. on the occasion of the 9^th Nikkeijin convention on 28 January 2016 in Manila!

         The year 2016 celebrates the 60^th Anniversary of the Philippines-Japan relations. Despite the shifts in our history, there can be no greater testimony to this deep and abiding friendship than the personal relationships forged between the Filipinos and the Japanese, particularly through the Japanese descendants who reside in the Philippines after the Second World War.

        The theme of this year’s convention, “War-Displaced Japanese Descendants: Reunion of the Voices and the Journey Onward” not only recognizes the diversity of experience among the Filipino Nikkeijin but also their meaningful contribution to Philippine-Japan relations.

        Mabuhay ang Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Rengokai!

        Mabuhay kayong lahat!

MANUEL M. LOPEZ
Ambassador

EMBASSY OF JAPAN
IN THE PHILIPPINES

 

 I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all participants of the 9^th National Convention of the Philippine Nikkei-jin Kai Rengokai, Inc., the umbrella organization of the Japanese descendants with 11 local chapters nationwide. At the same time, I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership of your President, Mrs. Ines Mallari.

        The Federation has been playing a pivotal role in reuniting and enriching the well-being of the Japanese descendants who were once displaced by World War II. Furthermore, the federation is now becoming an indispensable organization to uphold the mutual understanding between Japan and the Philippines and their respective peoples.

        In this context, I wish to state that this year is a very special year for us. This year, we are celebrating the 60^th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our nations.

        It is a great honor and pleasure that we can start this special year with a very important milestone which is the historical and memorable visit of their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the Philippines. I am sure that this will further enhance and strengthen the already cordial and warm relations existing between our two countries.

        Lastly, I want to thank again all of you for your strong commitment to the strengthening of our bilateral relations and I likewise wish you great success on your convention.

        Mabuhay!

                                                                KAZUHIDE ISHIKAWA
                                                                 Ambassador of Japan

 

 

 

It has been 12 years since Philippine Nikkei-Jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC) was establish as a non-profit organization. Dedication and commitment to our mission made us stronger and very eager to continue what we have started since our humble beginnings in 2003. Our mission is to help the war-displaced Japanese descendants in the Philippines in restoring their identity and nationality. We embarked on our Shuseki project, a legal procedure to secure the Japanese nationality of the living 2^nd generation who were born from a Japanese father and Filipino mother, and had experienced the suffering caused by the war.

        With the expertise of Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai and his associates, the project became a reality. At present, there are 13 attorneys who are courageously facing the hardship of filing shuseki petition and striving to give possible results to the aging 2^nd generations.

        The Nippon Foundation became our formidable partner for our projects. Together, we aspire to give meaning and positive impact to the lives of Nikkei-jins and their community, especially to the 2^nd generations. Every year, we assist homecoming tours. Indeed, there’s a type of happiness that money cannot buy: A sight of their Father’s country, and enjoying moments of their lives while on reunion with the Japanese relative has become very priceless.

        We continuously support the Philippine Nikkei-jin Kai Rengokai Inc. (formerly Federation of Nikkei-jin Kai Inc.), not only with the legal matters but in bridging the two countries, Japan and the Philippines. Year after year, we believe that we are also contributing to the development and prosperity of the Nikkei-jin communities. A livelihood program has been carried out since 2012 for establishing a self-sufficient association and training Project Administrators to become leaders that resulted in mutual learning and deeper understanding about our work.

There are achievements that paved the way to great success for our organization. One of those is the trust and support that we are gaining from both government authorities of two countries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, and Japan-Philippine Parliamentarian Friendship League. The number of approval of the shuseki petition of the 2^nd generations from the family court of Japan are likewise increasing each year.

SHUSEKI                        FILED                          APPROVED                        WITHDRAWN
TABLE

AT PRESENT

        It’s also a clear reason that we keep on fighting the plea of the remaining 2^nd generations. Their voices are now heard, nor only by the ordinary people but also by the high-ranking officials. Embracing with the idea of a signature campaign with the officers and members of Philippine Rengokai and many other supporters have been able to leave a mark. The petition papers handed to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 22, 2015, raised attention to his government.

While waiting for the outcome, we continue moving forward and hastening more efforts. The searching and reaching out to Nikkei-jins all over the Philippines is in progress.  The numbers of approval of shuseki petition from the family court and the locating of 1^st generation’s koseki are increasing. We will never give up. Let us keep your hopes high and let us always be united.

It has been 12 years since Philippine Nikkei-Jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC) was establish as a non-profit organization. Dedication and commitment to our mission made us stronger and very eager to continue what we have started since our humble beginnings in 2003. Our mission is to help the war-displaced Japanese descendants in the Philippines in restoring their identity and nationality. We embarked on our Shuseki project, a legal procedure to secure the Japanese nationality of the living 2^nd generation who were born from a Japanese father and Filipino mother, and had experience the suffering caused by the war.

        With the expertise of Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai and his associates, the project became a reality. At present, there are 13 attorneys who are courageously facing the hardship of filing shuseki petition and striving to give possible results to the aging 2^nd generations.

        The Nippon Foundation became our formidable partner for our projects. Together, we aspire to give meaning and positive impact to the lives of Nikkei-jins and their community, especially to the 2^nd generations. Every year, we assist homecoming tours. Indeed, there’s a type of happiness that money cannot buy: A sight of their Father’s country, and enjoying moments of their lives while on reunion with the Japanese relative has become heavy priceless.

        We continuously support the Philippine Nikkei-jin Kai Rengokai Inc. (formerly Federation of Nikkei-jin Kai Inc.), not only with the legal matters but in bridging the two countries, Japan and the Philippines. Year after year, we believe that we are also contributing to the development and prosperity of the Nikkei-jin communities. A livelihood program has been carried out since 2012 for establishing a self-sufficient association and training Project Administrators to become leaders that resulted in mutual learning and deeper understanding about our work.

There are achievements that paved the way to great success for our organization. One of those is the trust and support that we are gaining from both government authorities of two countries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, and Japan-Philippine Parliamentarian Friendship League. The number of approval of the shuseki petition of the 2^nd generations from the family court of Japan are likewise increasing each year.

SHUSEKI                      FILED                APPROVED                   WITHDRAWN
TABLE

AT PRESENT                 24                                37                                     2
OVERALL                     228                              168                                   23
(2003-2014)
ONGOING                      14
LOCATED                      680

        It’s also a clear reason that we keep on fighting the plea of the remaining 2^nd generations. Their voices are now heard, nor only by the ordinary people but also by the high-ranking officials. Embracing with the idea of a signature campaign with the officers and members of Philippine Rengokai and many other supporters have been able to leave a mark. The petition papers handed to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 22, 2015, raised attention to his government.

While waiting for the outcome, we continue moving forward and hastening more efforts. The searching and reaching out to Nikkei-jins all over the Philippines is in progress.  The numbers of approval of shuseki petition from the family court and the locating of 1^st generation’s koseki are increasing. We will never give up. Let us keep your hopes high and let us always be united.

KAGAWARAN NG UGNAYANG PANLABAS
Department of Foreign Affairs

 

I convey my warmest felicitations to the Philippine Nikkei-jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. and our distinguished Filipino and Japanese participants and guests of the 9^th Nikkei-jin Convention at the Diamond Hotel, Manila.

        This year is a milestone year for Philippine-Japan relations marking the 60^th Anniversary of the resumption of its diplomatic relations. At present, the relations of both countries are at their most dynamic and excellent levels. The visit of their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, this January further affirms and strengthens the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.

        This convention helps showcase the remarkable developments achieve by the Philippine-Japan relations through the years, in the aftermath of the Second World War until the present-day globalized economy. We hope that it may also serve as a venue to discuss the future role of the next generation of Nikkeijins in deepening their role to helping bring our countries even closer.

        I wish the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. more success in its continuing efforts to contribute to the progress of Philippines-Japan relation in the spirit of close friendship and mutual cooperation.

        Mabuhay!

 

ALBERT F. DEL ROSARI                                                                                                                                                               Secretary of Foreign Affairs