Japan-Philippines Relations
Meeting with 2nd Generation Nikkei-Jin in the Philippines
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On April 29th, from 3:15 PM local time (4:15 PM Japan time), Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was visiting the Republic of the Philippines, had a meeting with three 2nd generation Nikkei-Jin in Manila for about 20 minutes.
At the beginning of the meeting, Prime Minister Ishiba expressed his deep respect for the 2nd generation Nikkei-Jin who have endured many difficulties and hardships over the years and have worked hard to build bonds in their local communities in the Philippines.
In addition, Prime Minister Ishiba stated that it is deeply regrettable and sad that not all individuals had been able to obtain Japanese nationality, and that the Japanese government would work to ensure that nationality acquisition and temporary return to Japan are realized as soon as possible.
The 2nd generation Nikkei-Jin shared their personal backgrounds and experiences and spoke about their strong feelings as Japanese. They expressed gratitude, stating that meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan made them feel connected to their homeland.
(Reference1) About 2nd Generation Nikkei-Jin in the Philippines
Before World War II, many Japanese men immigrated to the Philippines mainly to engage in agriculture and commerce. Some married local Filipino women and started families. However, many either died or went missing during the war, or returned to Japan during the post war chaos, leaving many Filipino spouses and their children behind in the Philippines.
In the post war period, amid intense anti Japanese sentiment in the Philippines, some of these 2nd generation Nikkei-Jin were forced to dispose of their family registry documents to hide their Japanese fathers. As a result, many were left stateless due to both Japan and the Philippines adhering to a patrilineal nationality system at the time, resulting in a life of hardship. Since 1995, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has supported the acquisition of Japanese nationality for these individuals, in cooperation with Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai.
(Reference2) Participants of the 2nd Generation Nikkeijin in the Philippines
(2) Ms. Matsuda Esterlita - Father's place of origin: Fukui Prefecture
(3) Mr. Teraoka Carlos - Father's place of origin: Yamaguchi Prefecture
(Accompanying attendee) Ms. Ines Mallari, President of the Federation of Japanese-Filipino Associations (third-generation Japanese).