Int’l group to aid Jap-Fil kids adjust to life in Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be giving direct assistance to at least five Japanese-Filipino children to make their transition into life in Japan better.

In a statement, IOM said that the kids will be given pre-departure and post-arrival orientation, livelihood assistance, and Japanese language skills training.

This program, the organization said, will be part of a two- year project funded by the Toyota Foundation, which aims to promote the rights and welfare of Japanese-Filipino (JFC) children and enhance cooperation and improve public awareness on JFC issues both in Japan and in the Philippines.

It said the initiative stemmed from recent amendments in Japan’s Nationality Law wherein individuals born out of wedlock to Japanese and Filipino parents would be able acquire Japanese citizenship – provided that the child is recognized by the Japanese father.

There are an estimated 200,000 Japanese-Filipino children.

Under the project, the IOM will also conduct needs assessments and develop JFC-specific strategies in the Philippines with non-government organizations Batis Center for Women, Development Action for Women Network, and the Citizen’s Network for Japanese-Filipino Children (Maligaya House).

To achieve this, consultations will be held in the cities of Legaspi, Cebu and Davao – where there are large JFC populations. Culminating national conferences will also be held in both Manila and Tokyo before the end of the year.

The organization said that the consultations will serve as a “platform" to improve the understanding of the changes in the Japanese Nationality Law and its implications.

In addition, IOM said it will facilitate the formation of a “multisectoral network" that would improve the social, economic, and legal support for JFCs.

The Philippine representatives for this will include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Bureau of Immigration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Embassy in Japan.

On the other hand, the Japanese government counterparts will include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines. - Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

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