By Robina Asido

Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC) Representative Director Inomata Norihiro, one of this year's awardees of the Foreign Minister's Commendationm recognized the strength and unyielding courage of the second-generation Nikkei-jins who wish to obtain their Japanese citizenship.

In his message to the Daily Manila Shimbun Friday, Inomata stressed that "this award is not mine alone" noting that it also "belongs to the tireless staff in Tokyo and Manila, the legal team, the local Nikkei chapters, and the Embassy’s consular section."

"Above all, it is inspired by the strength and unyielding courage of the second-generation Nikkeijins in the Philippines. Their lives remind us never to give up," he said.

Last Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the awardees of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY 2025, including Inomata.

According to the Japan Embassy in the Philippines, Inomata who has been with the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC) since 2005 and served as its representative director from 2020 "worked diligently for many years within the organization on issues concerning Japanese descendants remaining in the Philippines, building a strong relationship of trust with the community."

"He has extended support to second generation Japanese descendants across all regions of the Philippines, including remote islands and mountainous areas, not only by conducting surveys for Japanese nationality acquisition but also consultation and resolution of legal issues related to nationality acquisition, as well as providing assistance to improve their living standard and access to education," it stated.

"His long standing contributions have significantly advanced the welfare of the Philippine Nikkei-jin community and have fostered mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines," he added.

Around 50 Nikkei-jins in the Philippines are waiting for the recovery of their Japanese citizenship.

Recently, the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said it welcomed Jose Takei, an 82-year-old man of Japanese descent from the Philippines, during his visit to Japan from August 7 to 10 , facilitated by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Takei visited his father’s grave in Osaka and filed his application for Japanese nationality with the Tokyo Family Court.

Other awardees include former director Nagai Hiroko of Ateneo De Manila University School of Social Sciences Japanese Studies Program and Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank established in the Philippines in 2004. Robina Asido/DMS