Help PH build bridges, Marcos urges Japinos

PROUD IN JAPAN Filipinos in Japan wave flags as they have a “groufie” with President Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. —Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Saturday urged ethnic Filipino-Japanese youth, called “Japino” in the Philippines, to help build bridges between the Philippines and Japan as the two nations prepared to celebrate relations that date back to the pre-Spanish era.

The President made no promises of cash or extraordinary assistance as he spoke to the Filipino community in Osaka, but he and first lady Liza Areneta-Marcos were warmly welcomed by Filipinos, mostly waving Philippine flags, and their Japino offspring.

READ: Marcos says PH secured job, investment opportunities after Japan visit

Marcos said the new generation of Filipinos abroad is vital in keeping Philippine culture alive overseas, while also helping build bridges of friendship and cooperation between both countries.

“We have every chance, through you, to build even stronger connections in shared values for a mutually stable, secure and prosperous relationship between our two countries,” the President said.

“This is why I hope you will join me and the Philippine nation in helping our community here in Japan to grow even more in love with the Philippines, to learn and embrace fully your Filipino identity, to support our nation’s aspirations for unity, for peace, and for prosperity,” added the President.

Vital link

Filipinos in Japan, excluding their unnumbered offspring, are the fourth-largest foreign community in Japan, next to China, Vietnam and South Korea.

There are an estimated 275,000 to more than 300,000 Filipinos in Japan, according to the Japanese immigration service, mostly in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka. The small number of migrants in the 1960s increased dramatically in the 1970s and 1980s, mainly through marriages.

Many offspring of these marriages have themselves become notable figures in modelling, acting, singing and sports, like football, baseball, golf, judo and sumo wrestling.

Marcos emphasized the importance of the next generation of Filipinos overseas as a vital link in preserving, nurturing and enriching Philippine culture, as well as in fostering closer friendship.

“Join me in inspiring our [countrymen] here to embrace their Filipino identity, and to support our aspirations for unity, peace, and progress,” he said, telling Japinos in English: “I still encourage you to learn Filipino.”

The President returned to Manila from this four-day visit on Sunday. /cb