Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with three second-generation Filipino-Japanese descendants in Manila last Tuesday, expressing regret over their past hardships and pledging support for their efforts to obtain Japanese nationality.

The meeting, lasting approximately 20 minutes, took place at 3:15 p.m. local time as Ishiba acknowledged the difficulties faced by the descendants, known as Nikkei-Jin, who have worked to maintain community ties in the Philippines.

However, he expressed sadness that some individuals were unable to obtain Japanese nationality, and stated the Japanese government would work to facilitate nationality acquisition and temporary returns to Japan.

The Nikkei-Jin shared their personal stories and expressed gratitude for the meeting, saying it made them feel connected to their ancestral homeland.

Before World War II, many Japanese men immigrated to the Philippines, engaging in agriculture and commerce. Some married Filipino women and started families. During and after the war, many of these men died, went missing, or returned to Japan, leaving their Filipino families behind.

Post-war anti-Japanese sentiment in the Philippines forced some second-generation Nikkei-Jin to destroy family registry documents, concealing their Japanese fathers. This left many stateless, as both Japan and the Philippines adhered to patrilineal nationality systems at the time.

Since 1995, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported efforts to help these individuals obtain Japanese nationality, in cooperation with the Philippine Nikkei-Jin Kai.

Ishiba also expressed gratitude to the Philippines during his visit.

“I am very pleased that there are so many Japanese fans here,” Ishiba said. “Coming to the Philippines for the first time, I’ve had a great time in the Philippines. Most everyone is very happy and positive.”

He stressed the deepening relationship between Japan and the Philippines in various fields, including politics, economy and culture.

Ishiba encouraged Filipinos to pursue their dreams, offering support and urging resilience in the face of challenges. He also expressed respect for teachers, the Ministry of Education and students’ families, highlighting the importance of educational opportunities.