Admin, Author at Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Incorporated

Nov

2015

“PRESIDENT’S REPORT ON THE PARTICIPATION TO THE 56th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF NIKKEI ABROAD” Inclusive date: October 27~29, 2015 By Ines P. Mallari

By Admin

Offficial delegates from the PHILIPPINES:
1. Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, PNJK Rengokai Inc., President
2. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, PNJK Davao Chapter President
3. Mrs. Carmen Apigo, Davao Officer
4. Mrs. Elizabeth Tagud, Davao Officer
5. Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu, JPIC President
6. Mrs. Evelyn Obuchi, JPIC Coordinator
7. Mr. Yusuke Uchida and 5 members of his family
8. Mr. Norihiro Inomata (PNLSC)

October 27, 2015 – Venue: Kensei Kinenkan, Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Registration, Opening and General Assembly of the 182 participants coming from the different countries from Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and South America. The theme for this year’s Convention was 70th After the War: Post-War History of Japan and Nikkei Communities in Retrospect. The President of the Kaigai Nikkeijin Taikai, Mr. Tanaka gave the opening remarks. Messages were also shared by the representatives from Brazil, Peru and Indonesia. In the evening of the first day, and as always, the Welcome Reception was hosted by the Imperial Family. This year, Her Highness, Princess Takamado was in attendance together with some members of the House of Diet/Parliament.

October 28, 2015 – Venue: JICA Building, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Morning: Plenary session on the theme: 70th After the War: Post-War History of Japan and Nikkei Communities in Retrospect. The undersigned presented the past, present and future activities and experiences of the Filipino-Japanese descendants through a Powerpoint Presentation. The delegates from around the world expressed to the undersigned that they were able to understand the Filipino Nikkeijins better after listening to the presentation.
Afternoon: Break-out sessions on different topics. Our group joined the session on the “Activities of the Japanese descendants Around the Globe.”
Evening: Our group had a dinner together with JPIC President, Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu and Ms. Evelyn Obuchi, JPIC Coordinator.

October 29, 2015 – Venue: Kensei Kinenkan, Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Morning: Participated the presentations of the children of the Nikkeijins in Japan. Lunch Reception: I was chosen to represent the 182 delegates from 17 countries around the world to deliver a speech in Nihongo in front of the members of Congress, headed by the Speaker of the Upper House, Senator Ooshima and Congressman Koshiishi, Asst. head of the Lower House, respectively. I was
all the more overwhelmed when the Minister of Justice, Minister Mitsuhide Iwaki himself, approached me after my speech, introduced himself, showed great interest and without being asked, offered assistance to the Filipino- Japanese descendants. Moreover, many Japanese politicians or Diet members also expressed their support to the Filipino Nikkeijins.

Japan’s Minister of Justice, Mr. Iwaki asking further information about Filipino Nikkeijins

Nov

2015

From the Desk of PRESIDENT By Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, President

By Admin

For year 2015, our association is so blessed with the numerous number of approved shuseki which program is funded by the Nippon Foundation. The generous financial assistance extended by the Nippon Foundation under the leadership of Chairman Yohei Sasakawa paved the way to acknowledging and recognizing PNJK members as children of the Japanese national. The favorable judgment obtained served as an inspiration to all movers to continue research work for those second generation who have yet to be recognized. We salute the staff of PNLSC, Japan, PNLSC Manila and the Project Administrator based in Davao City under the supervision of PNJK
Davao Chapter for their joint effort in processing all documents used as evidence supporting the Petitions before the Family Court in Japan.

The members whose petitions were approved for the year 2015 are: Akatsuka Tamiko, AsatoLydia, Chikaraishi Emma, Chikaraishi Carmela, Chikaraishi Adela, Goya Yukio, Goya Carmencita, Kobayashi Loleng Masae, Murasato Satoko, Nakama Lauro, Sakagawa Irenea, Takemoto Francisca, Takeshige Victoria, Tsuruoka Norberto, Tsuruoka Celestino, Tsuruoka Leonora, Tsuruoka Saturnino and Yagi Josefina Michiko. Their patience for waiting after almost six(6) decades had paid off.

On July 21-23, 2015, selected 2nd Generation and 3rd Generations were given the task of submitting an appeal to the Japanese Government supported by thousands of signatures not only from those affected by the denial of the shuseki petitions but from third parties who are aware of the plight of the war-displaced descendants . Details for this particular item, please read the article written by our Federation President Ines P. Mallari.

On October 27-29, 2015, a group of delegates attended the International Convention of Nikkei and Japanese abroad. President Ines P. Mallari was invited to share the experience of the descendants before, during and after the war. In addition she succeeded in presenting what so far has been accomplished by the Nikkei Community in the Philippines. From among 182 delegates coming from the 17 countries, she was given the privilege to deliver her message before the parliamentarians and other high-ranking officials in Japan. The article regarding this memorable event can be found inside this newsletter.

While we rejoice the blessings received we are all saddened by the passing away of ourmembers notably Rev. Bernardo N. Fernandez, Sr., one of the pillars of the association and hascontinuously served as its Chairman for so many years. May he and the others rest in peace.

Nov

2015

JPIC UP-DATES: THE TRANSITION By Eve Obuchi, JPIC Liaison Officer

By Admin

In many circles, conforming and succumbing to something comfortable and typical is viewed as a god thing, but there is always room for transformation, transition and renewal of vision.

On June 20, 2015, Japan Philippine Industry Council (JPIC) had its election in Nikko, Japan, after 10 years. A new president has been elected in the person of Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu. He is the president /owner of Nansatsu Shokucho Co., Ltd. and Enu Chicken Agricultural Union Corporation located in Kagoshima, Japan. The new officers of JPIC for 2015-2017 are as follows:

President : Mr. Yoshihiro Tokumitsu
Vice President (Higashi) : Mr. Chokichi Hoshi
Vice President (Nishi) : Mr. Takao Shironaka
Directors : Mr. Hideo Ito
Mr. Hiroki Komata
Mr. Masatoshi Kawagishi
Mr. Masaaki Hanzawa
Advisers : Mr. Shinobu Murakami
Mr. Akira Sekino
Mr. Hirokazu Mori

Like the former JPIC President Ito, President Tokumitsu is a firm believer of the saying that if you want to get what you want, you should be the one to create it because if someone else has created it for you, then what you get may not be what you want.

President Tokumitsu stressed the importance of “sense of gratitude and loyalty”. Nikkei jin must not forget and preserve their history; to value and honor their words and to bridge the gap and strengthen the bond between Japan and Philippines.

JPIC under the new leadership aims to increase the number of its members, as a matter of fact, as of this writing there are 4 additional new members of JPIC; to continue supporting academic scholarship grants to deserving students of PNJK –IS main and Calinan campus; to continue supporting the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai (Federation) and the different Nikkei Jin Kai associations in the Philippines, especially, Davao, Manila, IIoilo, Zamboanga and someday, Cebu too.

JPIC is not only limiting its support to Japanese descended Filipinos but also to Filipino people as well. On May 14, 2015, one of JPIC members, Toshi Co. who’s Chairman Mr. Toshifumi Shironaka a councilor of Mitoyo City had a courtesy visit to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to forge sisterhood between Mitoyo and Davao .

The economy of Japan is picking up and there will be plenty of job opportunities for Nikkei jins and Filipinos as Japan gears it way to the 2020 Summer Olympic and most of all, Japan has open its door to the world.

Continue reading JPIC UP-DATES: THE TRANSITION By Eve Obuchi, JPIC Liaison Officer

Nov

2015

Visit to the Embassy of Japan in Davao City, April 15, 2015

By Admin

Leadership in an office or in any entity for that matter changes when so required. PNJK Inc. has its new set of officers after the celebration of the 35th General Assembly and Araw ng Nikkeijin.

Likewise the term of office of Hon. Koichi Ibarra as head of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City came to an end due to his retirement from this office last March 18, 2015. Installed to take over management of said office is the Honorable Tomoko Dodo. She reported for duty last April 02, 2015 and the Consular Office in Davao City commenced in accepting visitors for a courtesy call.

PNJK, Inc. President Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, together with Mrs. Ines P. Mallari, President of the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku and the PNJK-International School Main as well as the head of the Philippine Nikkeijin Rengokai and Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo, School Principal of the PNJK-IS Calinan Branch and Officer In Charge of the Philippine-Japan Museum paid their courtesy call to the Hon. Tomoko Dodo on April 15, 2015 in the morning.

Exchange of information took place and Hon. Dodo is a very pleasant person to talk to. With her wide experience as a diplomat we are certain that the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City will continue to remain cordial to all citizens of Davao and the willingness to extend support more so to the members of the various association and groups one of which is the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc.

Continue reading Visit to the Embassy of Japan in Davao City, April 15, 2015

Nov

2015

“PNJKIS Calinan’s Nine-Year Journey towards the Road to Success” by: Carmen C. Apigo

By Admin

“Remember the days, we set out together with faith?” the first line of the song echoed in the air. And as these children sang their song with tears in their eyes, memories of the past were coming back. It seemed like it was just yesterday when a plan of putting up a campus of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School (PNJKIS) in Calinan was made. Soon enough, a Japanese descendant-run school was finally built in Durian Village, Calinan, Davao City. In June of 2006, the first school year of PNJKIS Calinan begun. It started with only 7 pupils in Nursery and 8 pupils in Kinder with only 2 teacher Miss Cherry Grace Martil for basic academic subjects for Preschool and Mrs. Evelyn Jagmoc, for the Japanese language. The following year, Preparatory level was opened to complete its Pre-School Education. From then on, another level was added each year to continue what has been started by the first batch of enrollees.

After nine years of learning, it was with so much happiness to know that from a group of 8 Kinder pupils, now ready to face the next stage are 22 Grade Six pupils. Seeing these grown up children wearing their white togas brought back the times when they were still the little boys and girls, learning to readand write their ABCs and counting their 123s, enjoying singing and dancing, playing and running. Nine years went by so fast. Their most awaited day has come. March 24, 2015 marked another milestone in the history of PNJKIS Calinan. The first batch of graduates marched their way to the aisle. Everybody was excited for this was the first ever commencement exercise of the school. The members of the Board of Trustees graced the memorable occasion. This event was even made more special with the presence of the people behind their success, their teachers, friends and parents. A heartfelt ceremony was held to start the event with Rev. Father Elvie Bordios, DCD as the celebrant. It was followed by the graduation rites to which the students were presented to the President of the Board of Trustees and finally recognized as newly graduates of the institution. Fulfillment and pride were curved in their smiles as they received their diploma, awards and medals. Unspoken words of gratitude were clearly written in their face. It was enough to know how happy they were. Continue reading “PNJKIS Calinan’s Nine-Year Journey towards the Road to Success” by: Carmen C. Apigo