MikeLigalig.com

By Michael Caber
Manila Standard Today

Japan has expressed support for the proposal of the Center of Japanese-Filipino Children’s Assistance to make Japanese-Filipino children become bonafide Japanese citizens.

Kenji Endo, first secretary and chief consul of Japanese Embassy in the Philippines, said that for humanitarian reasons, Tokyo supports the nationwide registration of Japanese-Filipino children.

“We acknowledge this mission, and the Japan and Philippine governments already discussed this issue and agreed to continue the program and find out what kind of assistance both governments can extend to these children,” Endo said.

Endo explained that as of this time the intervention of the Japan government is not yet needed until the total number of registered Japanese-Filipino children was determined.

“We will try what legal remedy could we give but not financial assistance yet,” Endo said.

The center earlier estimated that there were 200,000 Japanese-Filipino children in the Philippines. But Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration said there could be a million of them.

Vivian Tornea, OWWA’s policies and program division’s officer, said there are a million mixed Japanese-Filipino children living in the country and Japan but not properly registered.

Carmelita Nuqui, executive director of Development Action for Women Network said the nationwide registration will help them gather information about Japanese-Filipino children, their demographic profile and other essential details.

Nuqui said the reason CJFCA decided to conduct a nationwide registration is due to clamor of women asking for help.

Nuqui added that there are around 400 women who wrote letters to them asking for help to find the Japanese father of their children.

The nationwide registration will start in August but the seminar has begun, with non-government organizations and government agencies attending.

“With this program, we will be able to see the real condition of the Japanese-Filipino children in the country,” Nuqui said.

Lourdes Tabamo, DFA executive director on Consular Affairs, said the department is willing is help in alleviating the flight of Japanese-Filipino children.

Last March, the Japan embassy and DFA officials discussed the issue on how to help the children and extend program for them at the DFA main office in Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

Nuqui explained that the CJFCA will forward all information on Japanese-Filipino children to the Home Lawyers in Japan that will study what legal assistance they could provide.

Home lawyers will provide services for the registration of Japanese-Filipinos and secure necessary documents, contact the fathers for the recognition, work for the financial support of the children, among other matters.

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