JAPAN-PHILIPPINES INDUSTRY COUNCIL (JPIC)         Please allow me to convey my profound appreciation and gratitude for the opening of the 9th National Convention of the Filipino-Japanese Descendants.         After World War II, the Descendants were forced to face to hardship and to deal with the problems like discrimination, ignorance, poverty, citizenship and so on. But even under the circumstances, you overcame them and are struggling sturdily through your hard work which is one of the core values of the Japanese.  First, we acknowledge and appreciate your great effort in the field of business as well as academics.         Now I would like to review the history briefly. In 2005, it’s a significant year for the society of Filipino-Japanese descendants because the joint team of Atty. Hiroyuki Kawai of Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Inc., we, Japan Philippine Industry Council and some volunteers could find the Koseki tohon or the true copies of the Family Register of some of the families thanks to the huge support from the Japanese government, in addition to the great financial assistance from the Nippon Foundation led by Chairman Mr. Sasakawa and President Mr. Ogata. Then we could start the project for… Read More »