Helen Archives - Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Incorporated

More than a decade of searching their father, finally they are going to Japan to visit the Homeland of their father. The visit is to appeal to the Japanese government for them to be recognized as Japanese national. The lucky candidates
as of this year Homecoming Tour are the children of Mashimura Marumoto namely, Pacita, Roque and Estodi. The other family is the child of Hotohori Abe named, Dorina Abe. There are three children of Hotohori Abe who are alive but due to health condition, they were not able to join the Homecoming Tour thus Dorina Abe represents her two siblings.

In preparation to our departure, we asked them to prepare themselves to be in good health. You will be questioned in family court. Upon our arrival in Japan, you will face the media, who could help us in looking your relatives in Japan.

October 15, 2016- Departure from Davao to Manila.The group arrived in Manila safely then proceeded to Shalom Center Hotel. Mr. Norihiro Inomata and his two staff arranged the welcome dinner at Mr. Poon Restaurant. I did not know that Mr. Inomata will leave ahead of us, until that night he informed me that I am the only person who will bring the group to Japan. I am nervous but got no choice but to be strong.

October 16, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. Personal Appearance at Japanese Embassy in Manila for our visa. It did not take us long to receive our visa. 2nd Gen appeared at Japanese Consul for signature purposes.

October 16, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. Interview conducted by Ms. Narumi Tateda from Manila Shimbun. The reporter of Manila shimbun speaks English well, so I spoke in Visayan to the 2nd gen and interpreted their answers into English. The Press interview lasted for 2 hours and after the interview, PNLSC staff was around to distribute our ticket and give reminders to everyone.

October 17-18, 2015. 2 days stayed at the Hotel with delicious food provided by Ms. Emie Billiones. During these days, the 2nd gen cannot go out to go to Mall due to Typhoon Lando. The wind is so heavy outside and I advised them better not to go out to avoid accidents. Let us pray for our safe travel on Monday.

October 19, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. Departure bound for Japan. We left Shalom Hotel at 5:00 A.M., had check in at PAL counter bound for Haneda. I get forms of Immigration and fill it up. Then we fall in line to the Immigration Officers. There were few questions asked but I can explain to them the purpose of our travel. We safely pass at Philippine Immigration without hassles then proceeded to the waiting area for boarding. When boarding time, I informed Mr. Inomata through text that we are on board. At the plane, I noticed that the olds were nervous and excited. While on plane I filled up the forms of their Japan Immigration card and Customs. During the flight we did not experience any turbulence, it was a smooth flight, that the olds said it was a good flight no “lubak lubak” unlike
a travel to their place full of “lubak lubak”. I thank God, he heard our prayer for good weather.

Upon our arrival, we proceeded to Japan Immigration, I am nervous because I am not confident with my Nihongo, I spoke to Immigration Officer and I understand her question, I told them that I cannot leave them and
shown to them the Travel Document, they immediately brought us to the office of Immigration where the officer put stamped, requested us for finger printing and removed our disembarkation card then proceeded to Custom area to claim our baggage. I thanked God again, we succeeded that no difficult questions asked to us.

When we met Mr. Inomata and Mr. Kobari, he brought us to the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu where the media men are waiting for press conference. During the Press con Atty . Hiroyuki Kawaii and the Executive Director of Nippon Foundation, Mr. Yuji Mori gave speech after his speech the 2nd Gen was introduced by Mr. Inomata. There were questions asked by media’s to the 2nd Gen but they answered it well. After the Press conference, Tatay Estodi got dizzy, he seated for a while hoping he could get back but he was not, Ms. Kyoko Ishii requested wheel chair from the hotel, so we brought him to the car, going to the Hotel. Mr. Inomata assisted Tatay Estodi in going up and down from the car to the hotel. Ms Takano, Ms Kyoko and Mr. Inomata brought Tatay Estodi to his room. We stayed for a while hoping Tatay Estodi could join dinner with us. But it was not, we asked Benedict his grandson to stay with Tatay Estodi while the rest will have dinner. Mr. Inomata bought food for Benedict and Tatay Estodi. Mr. Inomata advised me if in case Tatay Estodi’s condition get worst, I will call him so that we could bring him to the hospital.

Oct. 20, 2015 Schedule of Court Appearance. Dorina Abe was assisted by Mr. Inomata with Mr. Kobari as interpreter in court. While the Marumoto family, Ms. Kyoko Ishii and I assisted them in Court. It was my first time to be in court in Japan, and it was also the first time of Ms. Ishii that there were 3 investigators handling the case of Marumoto siblings. As interpreter I know the family background but I cannot answer for them because the court needed their answer. It took us 3 hours in court but we are hoping for the best result since the documents of Tatay Estodi, the name of his father was indicated as Mashimura Marumoto and the nationality is Japanese. That is one strong evidence of the Marumoto siblings and the family photos taken before the war.

Oct. 21, 2015 Senate Appearance to the Office of Senator Kensuke Miyazaki. The 2nd Gen together with Atty. Hiroyuki Kawaii, Ms. Takano, Ms. Ishii, Mr. Inomata, Ms. Okubo of Nippon Foundation and Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla have a courtesy meeting with the Honorable Senator Kensuke Miyazaki. He said to the 2nd Gen that he will try his best that the Category C will be interviewed by Japanese Consul in Manila in support to our shuseki petition. Another promise is that he will request that during the visit of Emperor in Japan to the Philippines, the Nikkei community will be given a slot. He said when he was 2 years old until 7 years old he lived in Manila.

At Nippon Foundation Office. After the courtesy call to the office of Senator Kensuke, we proceed to the office of Nippon Foundation we were served lunch and after a sumptuous lunch we met Mr. Ogata, the President of Nippon Foundation. All 2nd gen extended their thanks and gratitude to the President. He even gave advice to the 2nd Gen not to stop working even if they are old.

Sky Tree Tokyo Tower. After our courtesy visit at Nippon Foundation, they brought us to Sky Tree Tokyo Tower. In this place you can see the overview of Tokyo. Everyone were so happy while watching down the building.

October 22, 2015- Flight back to Davao. We checked out at Tokyu Stay Hotel. Ms. Takano was around to bid goodbye to us while Mr. Inomata took us to Haneda Airport. When in the airport, we checked in at the counter of ANA Airline. I showed to them our tickets and Travel Document, but to my dismay they refused to accept the Travel Document of the 2nd Gen. The officer of the check in counter said to me, that she will refer this to her supervisor because it is new to her. Mr. Inomata explained to the Supervisor as I understand, they have no nationality and they were stateless (in Japanese “Kokuseki nai”) so they were issued Travel Document that will serve as their passport. The Supervisor left then came back and refused us again. She did come back I think 3 times to refuse the Travel document.

This time Mr. Inomata got mad. The check in counter advised me that to those holding a regular passport can go ahead. I said to her, NO ma’am, I cannot leave without them. After 1 hour and 30 minutes of waiting she finally accepted the Travel Document. The boarding pass was issued to the 2nd gen, the Supervisor try to apologize, but we ran out of time, so we left from the check in counter going to Immigration. It was almost 9a.m our flight time. We did not request for wheelchair for the old because we think we have so much time walking to our gate no. for departure.

At the Immigration we have no hard time presenting our Travel Document. The officer stamped the Travel Document without question. When we arrived at our Gate no. it is good that the Flight was delayed for 30 minutes. We left Japan at 9:30 A.M.

When we arrived in Manila at Terminal 3, we went to Immigration and I showed to the officer the Travel Document. The Immigration Officer brought us inside their office to fill up the forms of the stateless 2nd Gen. There were questions but I explained to them the purpose of our travel in Japan. We picked up our baggage and proceeded to the Transfer desk for Terminal 2. Our flight is 5:00 P.M., and we arrived at Davao at 8:00 P.M. We separate ways at Davao Airport.

The visit of the 2nd Generations to Japan will not be possible without the people behind this project. The PNLSC President, Mr. Hiroyuki Kawaii and his ever supportive staff Ms. Takano, Ms, Ishii and Mr. Inomata, we are really grateful for the time and their dedication to their work for the approval of the 2nd Gen Shuseki Petition. The PNLSC staff in Manila, who work hard for the Travel Document and visas of the 2nd Gen. The Nippon Foundation President, Mr. Ogata a very compassionate person. His sincerity to help the Nikkei jins to be recognized as Japanese national had promised to continue its financial support to them. The presence of Ms. Okubo during our visit will always give me a smile to her being a jolly person. The ever active PNJK President, Ret. Judge Antonina B. Escovilla, despite the distance from Ibaraki to Tokyo, she was around to support the Nikkei jins.

To all the supporters in this project, the happiness you give to the 2nd Gen and to their companions will always be remembered and forever be grateful because of your good deeds.

As an assistant to the 2nd Gen. thank you for your trust to me. I am happy and forever be grateful to experiencethis meaningful kind of work.