My heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in hosting the 9th Nikkei-jin Convention!
We, the Nippon Foundation, together with Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, have been working to support the stateless-Nissei to restore their Japanese nationality. I am deeply grieved that many Nisei still remain affected by World War II, even though 70 years have since passed. We promise that we will keep our priorities clear and do our best to move forward as fast as possible. Our most recent step towards the solution took place in July 2015, when we met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to ask for urgent support, as well as made declarations to relevant ministries and agencies to urge for assistance in resolving this issue.
I believe that there will be challenges ahead for each Nikkei-jin Kai and the Rengokai; however, the Nippon Foundation, we will continue to assist you, the best that we can.
Once again, Congratulations on the holding of the Nikkei-jin Convention, and please accept my best wishes to all of you for the greatest success in your endeavors.
(Sgd.) Mr. Yohei Sasakawa
Chairman
Jan
28
2016
By Admin
Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai
It is with great pride and immense pleasure that I welcome you all to the 9th National Convention of the Filipino-Japanese Descendants. I am honored and privileged to be with everyone here today, uniting ourselves, and our voices as we recall the experiences and struggles of the Japanese descendants after the Second World War, and to likewise discuss the role and mission of the succeeding generation. We cannot deny the fact that this might be the last Convention of the Filipino Nikkei-jin that could be attended by many 2nd generation or the Niseis around the country, by reason of their advancing age.
As a Sansei or 3rd generation, who is at the helm of the Rengokai or the Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai in the Philippines, I have come to realize that I, and the rest of the officers and members of our organization, have a great responsibility to continue the legacy of our forefathers to contribute productively not only to the local community, but across the nation, and to the international society as well.
As a young president of an association that is national in scale, I believe that there are still so many significant issues and concerns that I need to understand and address. Rest assured that being young and dynamic, I am very eager to learn and experience the various matters, opportunity and even the challenges ahead, as they unfold.
I firmly believe that our association has an important role to play in order to ensure the continued progress, development and harmonious bilateral relationship between Philippines and Japan. Indeed, we are living the bridge that helps connect our two beloved countries.
In retrospect, it can be said that our life as Nikkei-jin was never easy. We have been despised by many Filipinos in the past because of the damages brought about by the Second World War. Almost all of the 2nd gen faced the resentment of their neighbors, were ridiculed and discriminated against, and the Nisei had no other choice but to live in the mountains, far away from civilization, deprived of the luxuries in life, even the right to be educated. Be that as it may, our pitiful experiences challenged us to work harder to become what we are now; successful, accepted, and most of all, recognized.
As a result of our collective efforts and the support that we received from some benevolent groups and individuals, the tides have been turned to our favor. Most importantly, the Japanese government’s recognition of our existence has allowed many of us to reside in Japan paving the way for social transformation and the uplifting of our economic status.
Today, for the first time in the history of the Philippines, and that of the Filipino-Japanese descendants’, we are able to welcome no less than their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. We should consider today’s achievement as a great feat, a huge leap, and an astounding victory, for all of us. For all Niseis whose Japanese fathers were not able to return to them after the war, and have continuously waited for their return until this day, the visit of the Emperor could be considered as the “homecoming” of their fathers.
The opportunity to welcome and meet their majesties, for some of us, is by far, the highest form of recognition and gift that we- the Nikkei-jins have ever received. This is definitely an important milestone, worthy to be carved in the annals of history not only for the whole Nikkei-jin community, but for the entire Philippines, in general.
Thus, I urge all of you to take more pride and honor, and be grateful of our noble roots- our Japanese blood. Let us rejoice and be thankful as well to all the people who helped us up to this day.
To conclude, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the generous people who made all our planned activities today possible and successful: their majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines; the Nippon Foundation; PNLSC officers and staff; the volunteer Japanese lawyers who are helping our members in our shuseki petition; all our distinguished guest both from Japan and the Philippines who are here to celebrate with us by sharing their precious time and exerting their effort in order to attend our convention today; the media personalities who have helped us, in one way or another; and all the Japanese descendants who are gathered in this hall today.
With your unceasing support and genuine concern, I am very optimistic that the days ahead will be more rewarding and fulfilling. Cheers to the reunion of our voices and to our journeys together.
INES P. MALLARI President
Jan
28
2016
By Admin
PNLSC
PHILIPPINE NIKKEI JIN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER (PNLSC)
Congratulations on the 9th National Convention of Filipino-Japanese Descendants. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of the diplomatic relation between the Philippines and Japan. And this convention today, on the occasion of the visit of their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the Philippines, might be the best timing to think deeply about the history and the past of the Nikkei-jin who has been carrying on their shoulders the history of both countries.
As a result of the World War II, a pitiful history of ours, the lives of Filipino, about one million and one hundred thousand were lost and the society of Japanese immigrants and descendants in the Philippines were destroyed at the same time. Needless to say, the war-displaced Filipino-Japanese descendants were faced with hardship due to the anti-Japanese sentiment in the Philippines after the war.
During the conduct of the research project of PNLSC, I have seen with my own eyes how it is delighting and healing for the displaced Filipinos to be granted the Japanese Nationality by the Japanese government and to meet with their family in the later stage of their lives.
In 2005, the Shuseki project which is the petition for the approval of their Japanese nationality to the family court of domestic relations was started and as of January 15, 2016, there are already 168 Filipino Nisei who were recognized as Japanese, and was granted the Japanese Nationality. However, there are still remaining one thousand two hundred (1,200) Nisei who weren’t granted yet with Japanese nationality. Considering the necessity that the shuseki project has to be completed while they are still alive and that the average age of Nisei now is 76, the time left for us is very limited. In this occasion, I sincerely expect more favor and support to be extended from our project partners, starting from the Nippon Foundation, Japanese government, and other concerned offices/agencies.
This year marks the 24th year since the establishment of the Federation of Philippines Nikkei Jin Kai in 1992. The history of the Federation in quarter-century might be uneven but the first purpose which is to unite and shape in uplifting the status of Nikkei-jin is still handed down continuously. I would like to express my sincere respect for all the generous people and forefathers who exerted their effort for the progress of the Federation.
For more than a decade since I served as a legal adviser of the Federation, I have noticed several changes to wit: the leadership of the Nikkei organizations have been passed on from the Nisei to Sansei. Moreover, the different chapters have gathered strength in pursuing self-reliant and sustainable management in various regions. The activities of Nikkei Jin Kai may vary but the aim is to contribute to the progress of the local community and to play an active role as the bridge between the two countries, and in launching small businesses through several attempts by using the loan of entrepreneurship founded by the Nikkei-jin involved in PNLSC.
I hope that the members of the Federation and Nikkei Jin Kai around the country will remain steadfast and faithful to the initial spirit, that is to collaborate and cooperate with the spirit of joy, free from discrimination and isolation.
May the Nikkei-jin society further expand through mutual openness, collaboration as you help each other by making good use of you original and regional history, and unique characteristics. I am more than happy to extend my continuous support. Mabuhay!
Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai Legal Adviser and Chairman
Philippine Legal Nikkei-jin Support Centre (PNLSC)
The Filipino-Japanese Descendants or Nikkeijin are the descendants of Japanese who immigrated from the end of 19th century until the end of WWII, and who were left in Philippines because of repatriation and/or losing their parents or Japanese father because of the Pacific war. At present the number of Nisei (2nd Generation) is 3,585, Sansei (3rd Generation) is about 30,000, and the 4th generation will be included, the total number is estimated to reach 120,000.
Before WWII
From 1903 to 1905, many Japanese immigrated in Benguet in the northern part of Luzon to engage in the construction work of the “Benguet Road” connecting Manila and Baguio. After the completion of the construction work, many of the immigrants transferred to Mindanao, particularly Davao in order to work in the Abaca Plantations. They made the base of the new community called “The DAVAO Country”. They became the biggest producers of Abaca which was a very significant material for the rope at that time worldwide. The Japanese immigrants had increased in Davao because of the booming economy from the growing demands for abaca. They established their community by constructing various buildings like hospitals, schools, consular office, bazaars and other establishments needed for their convenience. in 1941, Japanese immigrants reached to 20,000, the biggest Japanese community outside of Japan, within the South East Asia.
During the WWII
Due to the outbreak of WWII, the circumstances surrounding the Japanese immigrants and their family suddenly changed. The Japanese immigrants in the Philippines were recruited to join the Japanese army as soldiers under Japanese army occupation. Such prevailing circumstances signaled the distraction of the much developed Japanese immigrant’s community and caused the separation of their families. The number of Japanese who died during the war was about 500, 000, on the other hand, there were more of less, 1, 111,000 Filipinos who died because of the fateful war.
After the WWII
After the end of WWII, all remaining Japanese in the Philippines were forced to repatriate to Japan. Unfortunately, almost all of their family members were left in the Philippines. They are the so-called “War-displaced Nisei” or the 2nd generation-they are the children of the Japanese immigrants. The war-displaced Japanese descendants were not only forced to be separated from their Japanese fathers, they were also forced to hide their identity as Japanese due to the resentment at that time by some Filipinos. They had to bury and destroy all proof that will connect to their Japanese roots, and many changed their Japanese name. In addition, they suffered poverty, and many were not able to attend schools.
The number of the Nisei
The total number of Nisei is 3,545, the total number of unrecognized Nisei is 811 (Including mortality). The living yet unrecognized Nisei is 282. (Reference: Entrusted survey by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as of March 31, 2015).
Achievement of research activity for descendant’s wish: Restoration Identity as 2nd Generation.
Research for Japanese relatives and locating of Koseki of Japanese registration has become a continuing effort of the Japanese descendants in order that the Nikkeijin will be able to regain recognition as children of the Japanese. As a result of the recognition received by some of the Japanese descendants, they are given residence status if they wish to migrate to Japan. Moreover, Shuseki petition also commenced whereby 157 out of 217 petitions in the Family Court was approved while 23 cases were disapproved and 37 cases are pending. All of this are achieve through the great assistance and help of the Nippon Foundation, and PNLSC headed by Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai. In addition, there are 673 Nisei who are registered in the Japanese family registration.
Lobby activity to Philippine and Japanese governments
The Federation/Rengokai together with our supporters is continuing its effort to lobby for humanitarian consideration to acquire the status of the remaining unrecognized Nisei in Philippines.
Petitions are on-going for the support from the different government offices, both in the Philippines and Japan, including the request for cooperation for the on-going research work in the different localities.
Since many of the 2nd generation are already of age, there is a need to speed up the work since the pleas for recognition will no longer be effective if the Nisei is no longer alive. Thus, in order to hasten the work, meetings with high-ranking officials were made including that of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Philippine-Japan Parliamentary Association, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan, and other relevant agencies.
