By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – The foreign ministers of Japan and the Philippines on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to supporting second-generation Nikkei-jin in the Southeast Asian country seeking to acquire Japanese nationality.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo discussed the issue during a meeting and working lunch in the Japanese capital. Iwaya said Japan would continue working toward the recognition of descendants of Japanese nationals left behind after World War II and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation.
Manalo acknowledged the significance of the issue and said the Philippines would continue to work with Japan.
The talks come as Japan begins implementing new support measures, including a planned invitation for a group of stateless Nikkei-jin to visit the country this summer.
According to the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center, 3,815 individuals of Japanese descent were born to Japanese fathers and Filipino mothers during or before the war. Of these, 1,649 have obtained Japanese citizenship, while 1,841 died without recognition. Some 134 are still alive, but only 49 remain eligible to reclaim Japanese citizenship.
Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya (right) holds a meeting and working lunch with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo (left) in Tokyo on May 28, 2025. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
