Last May 11, 2014 the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc. held its 34th Annual General Assembly at the PNJK-IS Gym with the theme “Cooperation and f ull support from members geared towards the solidification of the Nikkei Community”. It was a half-day event where over two hundred Nikkei Jins from different chapters gathered to be apprised of the organization’s progress and achievement over the year 2013.
Reports from the different institutions under the umbrella of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc. were given by the competent officers responsible for each department. The reports covered the reading of last year’s minutes, the President’s report, as well as financial reports from the PNJK Inc., PNJK Polyclinic & Diagnostic Center, PNJK-IS Calinan, the Japan-Philippine Industry Council and the PNJK Cooperative.
After the reports, a plenary session was held wherein the attendees were allowed to air their concerns or inquiries. Several clarifications regarding the Mortuary Aid Program were made, leading to a vote on the motion of one of the attendees that spouses of Nikkei Jins, even if without Japanese blood, be allowed to participate in the said program. The motion was passed unanimously by the attendees.
The event was also graced by Masataka Ajiro, one of the institution’s foremost benefactors. He delivered a short message at the beginning of the program, laying out his expectations for the organization in the following years.
In May 2010, during the PNJK, Inc., General Assembly, PNJKIS Calinan was one of those who gave updates of the school’s status and on-going activities. That time Calinan had 137pupils, operating from Preschool to Grade I and a six room building was already constructed. It was occupied by the Grade I class, Library and the Administration office.
To continue in providing the pupils with quality and high standard education, the PNJK, INC. has initiated the construction of a new building. The new building houses four new rooms. One of these is the Home Economics Room which will be used by the Grade IV pupils for their HELE Subject. This will help the pupils be more equipped with their skills. Another room is the Science Laboratory Room.Having a Science Laboratory with apparatuses is a big contribution for the pupil’s learning. Their knowledge will not be limited to the books, rather they can now apply the theories they have accumulated inside the class. The other two rooms are used for the classrooms of Grades III and IV. The association is again looking forward to constructing another two classrooms for the S.Y. 2013 – 2014 to cater the increasing enrolment of pupils.
INCREASE IN ENROLMENT RATE
Seeing the improvements of the PNJKIS Calinan, the enrolment increases. This is a good indicator that the school is making a mark on the community. The number of pupils has increased to 241 which were 201 in the previous school. To cater this increase, the school is already staffed with eleven teachers, two Nihongo teacher, and two office personnels. One of the Japanese Language teachers is Mr. Kenzo Yanaka, a NISVA volunteer from Japan.
IN AND OFF CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
One of the major activities in every school year is the Phil – Japan Festival. This year it was celebrated last October 4, 2012 and series of activities were done successfully. Another major activity hosted by the school every year is the 20th Recorder Ensemble Competition sponsored by the PNJK, Inc., in coordination with the Tokyo Kichijoji Lions Club and Japan – Philippines Volunteers Association.
Our school activities are no longer limited in the school campus. The school participates actively in the barangay activities such as chorale singing competition (in which our pupils won as the champion) and in sports. Involving our pupils in such kind of activities has developed their talents and social skills.
Achievement of PNJK in Thirty-Three (33) Years of Existence, A Showcase of our Contribution to the Progress of Society, Now and Onward. Our PNJK compound is becoming the tourist spot in Davao City. Proof of this is the influx of our friends coming from Japan. The number of visitors that came to see PNJK compound as recorded in the PNJK files and identified in 2012 is listed below, to wit:
Tatsuo Kitagawa who was accompanied by Consul Kazuhiko Anzai of the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City;
Shun Onno, a visiting Professor of MKD. He is the Professor of Dept. of Global Citizenship Studies;
Akira Ishioka and Yukihiro Kusabe Syachou of Serei;
Makoto Hidaka-Shimura of Chubu-Gakuin Junior College;
Consul Toru Ishii, First Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of Japan in Manila and Head of Visa Section;
Nippon Izokukai Group consisting of 22 members who are Japan war Bereaved Families Association inspected our Polyclinic;
Yurichiro Miyazaki, Masumi Nishio, Hiroyuki Tair Yasuhiro Shoda;
Africa Latin-American Association, an NGO based in Japan. Members would like to learn more about the people who are opposed to nuclear power;
Sister Goto from Misono Jogakuin Junior & Senior High School, Japan and Fr. Shushigawa of Easter Village, Kidapawan City. The Group observed our Nihongo Classes and was able to witness portion of our RP-Japan Festival.
Accomplishments and Activities in Year 2012:
On January of 2012, we started the discussion on the possibility of putting up another PNJK-IS school building in Calinan. Having resolved on the beneficial effect of embarking into this new project, the construction started, was completed in June 2012 and is currently used by students thereat.
The Japan-Philippine Industry Council, one of our benefactors and PNJK Inc. held two joint meetings in2012, one in February and the other one in November. Our sponsors will continue extending assistance to our members. We have maintained and solidified the good relationship with the members of JPIC.
In compliance with legislated law, we established the grievance committee: The task is to receive complaints against erring PNJK employees, conduct investigation and submit recommendation to the Board of Directors.
The Consular of Japan in Davao City, in 2012 has been in constant communication with our office that in one occasion it requested us to participate in the Samal Festival held on May 18, 2012, to reinforce its manpower. PNJK Inc., PNJK-IS and MKD staffs and teachers gladly participated and in fact the audience in said event was in awe by our colorful presentation.
The Ireisai Celebration, similar to our all Souls Day, was jointly held with the Consular Office of Japan in Davao City on August 12, 2012. Participants present were the Japanese Community, The Nikkei Group, teachers, professors and staff of both PNJK-IS and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku.
From October 2 to 5, 2012, we observed the RP-Japan Festival. The first day was reserved for free medical consultation offered by PNJK Polyclinic under the leadership of Mrs. Iwamoto. There were physical examination and other health services rendered with minimal fee. PNJK-IS and MKD took care the academic and cultural competitions, Nihongo speech and Balak contest, Ikebana arrangement, Yukata wearing, Tea Ceremony and even Cooking Japanese Food. Highlighting the week-long event is the holding of the Bon-Odori Festival. Everyone wore kimono, yukata and Hapi.
During the General Assembly in 2012, we started the Mortuary Aid Program. Only few had contributed and our appeal to everyone is to be part of the program. Only (30) members joined the program. Currently we have a total sum of P9000.00 kept in the bank. As agreed, P50.00 from each contributor will be extended to any deceased member and this amount will be replenished every general assembly. Last year there were reported descendants who left ahead of us. Unfortunately they were not among those who contributed to the mortuary aid program.
To our members who are in their prime stage, kindly stay fit and healthy because the 2nd generation is the only principal person that can be entertained by our legal group in supplying vital data. Their existence is so important for shuuseki petition before the Family Courts in Japan. Without them there will be no chance for those who have no koseki to go to Japan, unless a new law is passed, allowing the next generation to give data needed to be legally recognized.
There are those who might be candidates to a group tour in August 2013. Your paper must be clear, not corrected by yourself or by anyone good in employing irregular corrections. Your witness must be credible. You need to present concrete evidence that will establish your affiliation with your Japanese ascendants. You will be notified if chosen by PNLSC Japan to be part of the group tour. Last year 2012, four shuuseki petitions were approved by the Tokyo Family Court. Two from Davao: Mr. Carlos Toshimitsu and Enrique Sagaki Tanimoto. Mrs. Aguilina Nagamine from Iligan is now recognized and one from Iloilo Evelyn Akamine. This is the result of the joint effort of Atty. Kawai, PNLSC and PNJK, INC.
New policy in Japan that took effect in July 2012 is as follows: Resident visa is given to descendants for three to a maximum of five years. If you are not a resident in Japan, you will be entitled to only one year resident visa. Re-entry permit is not necessary for as long as you go back to Japan within one year. However, if you stay more than one year outside of Japan you need the so called re-entry visa.
Attached to the report is the classification of Category A and B. This is the report of Ms. Nelma Adachi in May 2012. Kindly go over the same for any one of you in the audience may fall under the classification and the explanation is clear.
For the information to those interested to study Nihongo Language, we have been conducting classes in Japanese Language for the past months. Kindly call our office and look for April. Free lesson during Saturdays is conducted to our descendants who are Category C. What you only need is buy the reference books that are available in the office. For those who are due to leave for Japan, minimal fee is collected to pay our skilled teacher (s).
Thank you for your time and may we have another fruitful year for 2013. God bless.
After our meeting and election of officers last November 11, 2012 in Cebu city, I would have wanted all the elected officers of the Federation to have a courtesy meeting with Ambassador Toshinao Urabe at the Embassy of Japan in Manila. However, since the good Ambassador was scheduled to visit Davao last November 27, 2012, and in order that the Federation will be spared from the huge expenses that may entail, I was given a chance to have a fruitful meeting with him together with our corporate secretary Judge Antonina Escovilla at the Marco Polo Hotel here in Davao City. In attendance also during the said meeting were the two (2) consuls, Kazuhiko Anzai and Koichi Ibara. Ambassador Urabe gave valuable insights on how we should steer our organization, as reflected on the minutes that we just read.
On December 2012, Ms. Araceli Tan, our elected treasurer communicated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Cebu in order to verify the status of the Federation, as a juridical person. We were informed that no report was ever submitted to the SEC from the time that the Federation was registered until the present, be it general information sheet or GIS or financial statement or FS. Because of that, the record of the Federation is deemed deactivated or stricken off. Accordingly, if we activate our old file, we need to pay huge penalties for the number of years that we failed to submit the needed reports. This is therefore, one of the reasons why we are gathered today, because we need to activate our association not only words or in deed, but in paper as well. I hope that we will not end this GA without us having an active record or registration with SEC.
Last December 15, 2012, PNJK Davao and Manila Nippi joined hands in extending help to the victims of the Typhoon Pablo, the strongest typhoon that hit Mindanao last December 4, 2012. PNJK Davao in collaboration with Manila Nippi, JPVA and other Japanese friends, and our educational institution, the PNJK IS and MKD donated money and relief goods and conducted relief operation at the devastated areas particularly in New Bataan, Compostela Valley.
Last January 2013, during my visit to Manila, I was able to meet with some Federation Officials from Manila Nippi, namely, Mr. Stephen Buñi and Mrs. Araceli Tan. We discussed about our future plans for the Federation including the holding of the general assembly today.
Last February 23, 2013, the PNJK Davao and JPIC held a joint meeting here in the same venue. During the meeting, the President of JPIC, Mr. Hideo Ito, reiterated his commitment to extend his full support to the thrusts and goals of the Federation of Nikkei Jin Kai.
Having understood that the Federation is now operating with minimal funds and out of his generosity, he likewise proposed for financial help to the Federation in a form of contribution of 1 lapad or Y10,000 to be given to our association by every departing descendants who will be sponsored by any JPIC member-company. The contribution of 1 lapad per departing descendant from Davao was made effective immediately. On behalf of the Federation, I accepted the generous offer and thanked Mr. Ito unceasingly.
As of today, out of the many descendants from the Davao Chapter who left after our meeting last February 23, there is already an amount of P140,000 which is earmarked for the use of the Federation’s activities and project including our GA today. Let us all show our appreciation to JPIC under the leadership of Mr. Hideo Ito, who is represented today by Mr. Chokichi Hoshi, the Vice President, along with their efficient and trusted coordinator, Ms. Evelyn Obuchi.
The good news does not end there. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Davao, in order to express its full support to the Federation, also donated an amount of P150,000 to be use as our seed money for our projects and to subsidize as well our expenses during our GA meeting.
With all the moral and financial support that are pouring in, I believe that we can achieve our goals and targets for the Federation and Members.
However, the challenge now is for all of us to move and produce results.
No support will ever continue to be given to us if we will just sit and wait for a dole out or charity from our friends and benefactors. Let us move now, aspire to stand on our own feet and feel proud of our legacy as officials of this organization of the Nikkei society.
I believe that we have pool of brilliant and talented officials here. Let us brainstorm together, map out a concrete plan for our association, and let us produce results every year. I strongly believe that if we will be successful in realizing our goals whether short-term or long term goals, then, support and cooperation from all sectors will continue to come.
I wish that during our two year term as officials of the Federation, we will be able to make our association bigger and better. May God bless us all.
It has been two years since Northeast Japan experienced one of the world’s greatest calamities but so much changes and reconstructions have been undergone since then.
Japan’s economy slipped into a temporary recession following the devastation. Nikkeijin working with companies directly affected by the disaster suffered temporary shorter working hours and limited working days but those are all in the past because as of this writing working situation have returned to normalcy though some nikkeijin moved to other cities with another company but loyal ones opted to stay. To mention few loyalists like the Yamaguchi-Tungkalan Family, Suemitsu-Ibanez Family, Hayashi-Villas Family, Yawaka-Mumar Family, Tsunashima Family, Nakagawa-Hiquial Family, Toyoda-Magallon Family and Kamiyama Family.
On July 9, 2012, was the start of a new residency management system wherein a resident card will be issued and alien registration system abolished. The re- entry permit system has also been changed. Nikkeijin who will be entering Japan within one (1) year of their departure not be required to apply for a re-entry permit. This new system is favorable to the nikkeijin.
Employment availability status in food industry remains average and favorable in most parts of the country like Hokkaido, Sendai, Fukushima, Tochigi, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Kagawa and Kagoshima. Japanese government is encouraging and showing appreciation to nikkeijin going to Sendai and Fukushima by not collecting visa fee. Though there was a mass lay-off in Sony-Gifu (electronic industry) last year – this year electronic and car industries are picking up.
More sponsorship is forecasted for summer season as Japanese food and car industry kick into action once again. Nikkeijin are expected not to be very choosy and refused difficult, wet and messy jobs; to take care of the present job they have; learn Nihongo; understand by heart and embrace Japanese culture and traditions, to obey rules and regulations of Japan; inculcate sense of gratitude and to acquire new skills to be competitive and successful in Japan and globally.
NEW BUILDING
