From the Desk of the PRESIDENT
PNJK Family is so blessed. We started the New Year with the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the school compound. He was accompanied by his wife Madam Akie and other government officials attracting crowds coming from nearby areas. We were the center of envy by those who were desirous of shaking hands with the highest official of Japan. All of us, the management, faculty, staffs, students and parents were unmindful of people who came to see the Prime Minister. We were aghast by his friendly gesture, his approach to the students, to PNJK 2nd generation members and giving some of his precious time in observing a Nihongo class composed of the 3rd year college students of MKD.
This is one event that we will all cherish. It is embedded in our minds – an event that can be transmitted to our next generation as this rare occasion would never take place in the coming generations.
As our friendly relations with Japan continue, we are proud to state here that one member Oligario Nagata, 70 years old, has finally been given recognition as the child of a Japanese national. Oligario Nagata never expected this to happen but he was so lucky that after more than six decades of waiting he can state with certainty that patience and prayer had paid off. We are grateful to agencies that assisted him in this project. The Nippon Foundation, the PNLSC, the JPIC and PNJK in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan are the agencies responsible in making his dream a reality.
Earlier this year other Category C nisei were likewise given the same favorable judgment from the Family Court in Japan and they are Lucio Mekaru and Prisca Mata.
With the cooperation of our partners in Japan, PNJK officials will continue to conduct fieldwork aimed at gathering evidence for our Category C members. They longed to be recognized. All are hoping that their plea for recognition just like Oligario San will soon come their way. This too is the goal of the management. We can do this in cooperation with our partners in Japan.
“A Dream Come True…Approved Shuseki”
Oligario Nagata was born on September 23, 1945, in Sirib, Calinan, Davao City. He is a Nisei being the son of a Japanese national. Unfortunately, he only came to now his Japanese father as Nagata. Not much could be disclosed as to the personal background of his father thus Mr. Nagata has been classified as Category C descendant. PNLSC, however, is patiently researching every possible place that could help Mr. Nagata in establishing his affinity with his Japanese father. With very limited evidence, PNLSC through its lawyer filed shuseki petition before the Family Court in Japan. In August 2013, Mr. Nagata went to Tokyo, Japan for the first time to testify in Court. The petition however did not merit favorable judgment advancing as reason lack of evidence.
In the intervening events, the officers of Rengokai together with other chapters under it sought assistance from the Ministry of Foreign including the media to take the plight of the descendants seriously as they are certainly children of the Japanese nationals and are likewise entitled to be recognized as such.
Through the help of The Nippon Foundation the officers of the Rengokai and some officials from different chapters were able to have an audience with His Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the year 2015 submitting to him documents containing more than 27,000 thousand signatures supporting the clamor of the descendants to be recognized.
As a result of the joint effort of everyone, The Nippon Foundation, PNLSC, Rengokai, the Media and other sectors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ultimately submitted to our request. In May of 2016, it started sending consuls from Manila first to Davao City, where everyone had the opportunity in meeting Consul Susumu Tsuda. He came to interview the Category C descendants. One of those interviewed was Oligario Nagata.
After his interview, the lawyer assigned to his case Atty. Kazuki Sato once more filed the shuseki petition before the Kumamoto family court in September 27, 2016. Kumamoto is Oligario Nagata’s father domicile. All are excited to hear the result of the second petition filed in September 2016.
The good news came on April 3, 2017 where the petition of Mr. Nagata was given due course. He is now a Japanese national and can enjoy life in Japan just like any other Nihon jin thereat.
Congratulations to Mr. Nagata, Atty. Sato of the PNLSC, the staff of PNLSC, The Nippon Foundation and the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Davao City Chapter under the Federation for a job deserving of recognition.
Minnasan omedetou.
