NIKKEIJINS. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshifumi Tsuge meets with Filipino Nikkeijin Takei Jose and his eldest daughter Marissa Romero during the Japanese official’s visit to Manila on Wednesday (Aug. 21, 2024). The Japanese Embassy in Manila reaffirmed its support to the Filipino Nikkeijins by facilitating the restoration of their Japanese nationality. (Photo courtesy of the Japanese embassy in Manila)
MANILA – The Japanese Embassy in Manila on Wednesday night has reaffirmed its support for the Filipino Nikkeijins by facilitating the restoration of their Japanese nationality.
The reiteration was made as some of its members met with Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshifumi Tsuge during the latter’s visit to Manila on Aug. 21.
“The Embassy of Japan will continue to provide its utmost support to as many remaining Filipino Nikkeijins as possible, to facilitate their swift restoration of Japanese nationality and smooth return to Japan,” the Embassy said.
Tsuge met with the Filipino Nikkeijins and exchanged views on their current situation as well as the efforts being made by the Japanese government to restore their nationality.
Manila Central Luzon Nippi Association President Stephen Querico Buñi, Secretary General of Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC) Norihiro Inomata, for their part, explained the current situation and activities aimed at identifying Filipino Nikkeijins in the country.
Second-generation Filipino Nikkeijin Jose Takei also shared his own experiences and hardships over the years.
Nikkeijins are descendants of Japanese nationals who migrated to the Philippines during the pre-war period for work or business and eventually settled in the country.
In Davao, the Nikkeijin history dates back as early as 1903 when Japanese Suda Ryosuke brought in the first batch of Japanese nationals to engage in abaca production in the province. (PNA)
