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

 

 

 

 THE NIPPON FOUNDATION

        My heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in hosting the 9^th 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

 

Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai

 

 

It is with great pride and immense pleasure that I welcome you all to the 9^th 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 2^nd generation or the Niseis around the country, by reason of their advancing age.

        As a Sansei or 3^rd 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 2^nd 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

 

PNLSC
PHILIPPINE NIKKEI JIN LEGAL SUPPORT CENTER (PNLSC)

 

Congratulations on the 9^th National Convention of Filipino-Japanese Descendants. This year marks the 60^th 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 24^th 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)