70th Anniversary of the Quirino Grant of Clemency to Japanese War Criminals

October 6, 2023by secretariat in PJFF

On July 13, 2023 at the Museo of Muntinlupa in Muntinlupa City, the 70th Anniversary of the Quirino Grant of Clemency to Japanese Prisoners of war (POWs) was commemorated.

It was titled “Peace for the Future” highlighting the historic grant of Pardon to Japanese POWs in 1953 by then President Elpidio Quirino. This occasion was graced by prominent individuals both from government and private sectors, with no less than Ms. Kayoko Kano of Kano Art Promotion Foundation, daughter of Mr. Kanrai Kano, himself was a Japanese prisoner who tirelessly appealed to President Quirino (sending a total of 43 letters from 1949 until 1953) for the grant of clemency to all Japanese Prisoners. On the other hand, Atty. Aleli Angela Quirino, Ms. Cory Quirino and some members of the Quirino family represented the President Quirino Foundation.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko, the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines, stated that President Quirino was among the many remarkable Filipinos who chose the path of peace and forgiveness over resentment and retaliation, despite experiencing tragic loss and heavy criticism from his fellowmen.

To quote from President Quirino’s Statement of Pardon of All Japanese War Criminals dated July 6, 1953, he said… “I have extended executive clemency to Japanese war prisoners serving terms in the Philippines not as an Amnesty which requires concurrence of the Philippine Congress. As my wife, three (3) of my children and five (5) other members of my family were murdered by the Japanese, I never imagined that I would forgive them. I am doing this because I DO NOT want my children and my people to inherit from me HATE towards people who may yet be our friends for the permanent interest of our country. After all, DESTINY has made us neighbors.”

Mr. Francis C. Laurel, President of the Philippines-Japan Society, Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, President of the Nihongo Center Foundation and Ms. Glenda T. Ferma, Administrator of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Foundation attended the event.

FUKUDA SHIGEO CALLS ON PJS

October 3, 2023by secretariat in PJS

Mr. FUKUDA Shigeo – son of former Prime Minister FUKUDA Yasuo – paid a courtesy call on Mr. Francis C. Laurel, President of the Philippines Japan Society (PJS) last July 13, 2023. Mr. Fukuda was accompanied by Mr. TAKANO Seji, President of the Japanese Association Manila, Inc. (JAMI), and President of Sumitomo Corporation of the Philippines (SCP). Also, on hand to receive the guests were Mr. Ricky Osmond, Chairman of The Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC), Mr. Gerry B. Sanvictores (PJS Vice-President), and Mr. Philip B. Sanvictores, President of the Nihongo Center Foundation.

Messrs. Fukuda and Takano were received at the Ambassador Jose S. Laurel III Room where the memorabilia of the late Ambassador and Founder of the Philippines-Japan Society and its affiliate organizations are housed. Photos of Prime Ministers FUKUDA Takeo and FUKUDA Yasuo – Mr. Fukuda Shigeo’s grandfather and father, respectively – are among framed pictures prominently displayed in the Laurel Room.

During the call, Mr. Laurel presented Mr. Fukuda with a copy of the book – Jose S. Laurel III, Filipino Samurai. Interestingly, Mr. Fukuda brought with him a copy of the same book which was earlier given to his father – PM Fukuda Yasuo – with a request for a dedication from Mr. Laurel. Of course, Mr. Laurel obliged and wrote dedications on both books for the personal collection of father and son.

Mr. Fukuda was previously stationed in SCP and lived in the Philippines for several years and is quite familiar with the country. Currently, he oversees the industrial estates development business of Sumitomo Corporation.

PHILFEJA holds hybrid General Assembly meeting after pandemic

August 31, 2023by secretariat in APPAJU, JAAP, PHILAJAMES, PHILCULTAROS, PHILFEJA, SAPILNIP

The Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni (PHILFEJA) held its first Hybrid General Assembly Meeting on the 19^th of August 2023 at the PJFF Office at Electra House Makati.

Representatives from the five (5) affiliate Associations attended. Special guests were Mr. Shigehiro Matsuda, Director and First Secretary of the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan who was also the Inducting Officer and Dr. Lydia Tansinsin, who at ninety-years old, is still active in her profession, representing the early batch of Monbusho scholars and one of the living Founders of PHILAJAMES.

After the Annual Report of the President, the Officers and Trustees for 2023-2024 were elected: Mr. Domingo Go (APPAJU) as President, Mr. Rommel Roque (SAPILNIP) as Vice-President, Dr. Neil Tan Gana (PHILAJAMES) as Treasurer and as Trustees: Ms. Junelyn Pangunsan (JAAP) and Ms. Cynthia Reyes (PHILCULTAROS). Ms. Cecilia Tolentino remained as Secretary-General. Mr. Rommel Roque, President of SAPILNIP and elected Vice-President of PHILFEJA was in Los Angeles, USA at that time but he attended the Meeting and was inducted by Zoom. The Accounting Firm of Diaz, Murillo, Dalupan and Company was also re-appointed as external auditor of PHILFEJA for fiscal year 2023.

After the Oath-taking, Director Matsuda gave his congratulatory speech with some phrases in the Filipino language. Other guests who were requested to give remarks were former Trustee and PHILFEJA Director for ASJA, Mr. Philip Sanvictores, and Dr. Lydia Tansinsin.

The guests enjoyed the sumptuous lunch and the fellowship afterwards.

Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V awarded 42nd PJS Medal of Merit

August 11, 2023by secretariat in PJS tagged 42nd Awards Night, Amb. Joey Laurel, Awards Night

On July 19, 2023, The Philippines-Japan Society, Inc. (PJS) awarded Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V the 42nd Medal of Merit for his outstanding achievements and contributions in promoting and strengthening Philippines-Japan relations at the 42nd Philippines-Japan Friendship Celebration Awards Night held at New World Hotel in Makati City.

PJS Corporate Secretary, Atty. Jose Vicente Jimenez, read the Citation which was followed by the bestowment of the Medal of Merit and the plaque of the Citation to Ambassador Laurel V by PJS President Francis C. Laurel and PJS Vice-President Gerard B. Sanvictores.

A culminating highlight of his service to the country was with his appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Japan in June 2017, a post he held with distinction until June 2022. Among his major accomplishments as Philippine Ambassador to Japan were: management of high-level official visits between the Philippines and Japan, the State Visit to Japan of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019 and the Official Visit of Foreign Minister Taro Kono, also in 2019, including three working visits of President Duterte to Japan; and the supervision of large-scale projects involving Japanese corporations such as the Metro Manila Subway project.

Aside from his term as Ambassador of the Philippines to Japan, Ambassador Laurel V also served as Governor of the Province of Batangas from 1980 to 1988.

PJS President Laurel gave the opening remarks, followed by the greetings of The Philippine Society of Japan President, Ambassador Makoto Katsura and H.E. Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Philippines which was read by Minister Kenichi Matsuda, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of Japan to the Philippines.

The Children of Ambassador Laurel V and Mr. Victor “Cocoy” Laurel delighted the guests with their own musical pieces.

Attachments:
Citation of the Medal of Merit
Opening Remarks by Mr. Francis C. Laurel
Greetings by Amb. Kazuhiko Koshikawa (read by Minister Kenichi Matsuda)
Program
Photo Gallery

DECEMBER 2023 JLPT APPLICATION PERIOD

July 24, 2023by secretariat in Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) tagged jlpt, JLPT 2023, JLPT Application Period, JLPT Manila Test Site, JLPT Philippines, LPT December 2023, PJFF

All announcements and notices regarding JLPT in Manila Test Site will be posted on these links:
PJFF Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/PJFF.PH
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/pjff.ph/
JLPT Manila Test Site Viber Community – https://bit.ly/3W413jF

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