Sep
16
2015

“Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai”

By Admin

Expectation from Nikkei Jin Kai

by: Masataka Ajiro

President, Japan-Philippines Volunteer Association

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This time I would like to talk about my expectations from Nikkei Jin Kai.

First, I would like to tell you a little bit about the JPVA (Japan Philippine Volunteers Association)The Japan-Philippine Volunteers Association aims to look for problems/issues about both countries; Philippines and Japan and to look for ideas on how to reduce those issues/problems.I met the Japanese descendants (Nikkei Jin) way back in 1984, then created a school, from there, it continue to improve from elementary to High School until college.

In 1991, I created the Japan Philippine Volunteers Association together with the Japanese Descendants (Nikkei Jin), mainly for the education of poor children, problems about caregivers and to have tree planting activities on the mountains, collect Recorders in Japan, established recorder ensemble group and organized activities in schools in the mountains, to create a

Historical museum where the documents about the Davao history are accumulated and it’s a retained culture are preserved.

Our activities aim to make our partners (people) be independent, to give chance/opportunity to people. A nice isn’t it? That’s why, in order to pursue an activity to become independent, we have to let go of our hands from them (Nikkei Jin Kai). So, the Japanese School, Elementary School, Philippine-Japanese Historical Museum, Recorder Group and others are not by the Japan Philippine Volunteer Association, it is now handled by the Nikkei Jin Kai.

 Recent Tendencies

 The activities from Japan to Philippines were done in the 20th century. In the 21st century, the issues about Japan stand out than the issues in the Philippines. In Japan right now, ¼ of its population is composed of people aged 65 and above. There are many old people but the numbers of young people who will support them are few. There are insufficient shelters for old people who need care. This is the big problem of Japan.

In our office in Japan, we are receiving a lot of calls from elderly, asking if they can hire caregivers from the Philippines or if it is ok to live in the Philippines.

20 years ago, the problem was about the children in the Philippines, but now, the problem about the elderly is increasing.

From there, there are things I want to propose to the Nikkei Jin Kai, I hope that Nikkei Jin Kai will help the old people in Japan. I wish that helping them will be the first in line of their activities.

  1. The idea is there but, we hope to have a Japanese language specialization at MKD or to have any kind of specialization to rear more skilled young people who could go to Japan. If it is possible, they will not go to Japan to get hired and work but they will go there to help Japan. We, together with the Nikkei Jin Kai want to create a (group of Young People from Overseas) and then, we want to inform the government of Japan about it for public information.
  2. I want to create a group of skilled people to come to Japan among MKD graduates. The MKD will be the bridge towards strong ties between Japan and Philippines. I want MKD to be that kind of institution.
  3. You also need to start a campaign for building Japanese nursing home for Japanese elderly. In cooperation with municipal government in Japan, you start the campaign for building a resort for Japanese elderly. Mayor of Davao City, Rodrigo R. Duterte likes the idea of this campaign very much and he told that he would lend land as much as possible. People who are interested in this idea will visit Japan soon. I am scheduled to engage shortly in building a small nursing home in dormitory of Japan Philippines Volunteer Association.
  4. Another thing which I suggest is to ask all parties concerned to have direct flights from Japan to Davao in cooperation with Hello World. I have already discussed about this matter with person concerned.

 There are many other things which Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc., MKD and we can do for the Philippines and Japan.Let us all work together and make Davao City famous for its safety and easy access from Japan, “The City of Healing Power”.

 Davao and Japan will start making a new history. The monument in Mintal was built to commemorate this. Mayor of Davao City, Hon. Rodrigo R. Duterte built this monument for the new relationship for the Philippines and Japan. Unveiling ceremony is scheduled on October 7, 2013 from two o’clock in the afternoon. I hope you all could come to witness it.

I have a message for Japanese Descendants. Let’s start new activities together with us. You, members of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. in Davao are the bridge of Philippines and Japan.

I hope that next year we will have a direct flight from Narita to Davao and lots of Visitors from Japan will join Philippine Japan Festival. I don’t have much time left, however I will continue to support Davao and Japan to be able to have a good relationship in many ways as long as I live.

Thank you for listening.


Sep
14
2015

“34th General Assembly Held May 11, 2014” By: Emiko Escovilla

By Admin

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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.


Sep
14
2015

“JPIC And The Nikkei Jin Living In Japan – A Picture of Recovery”

By Admin

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.