MANILA, Philippines – The Japanese Embassy in Manila has released the Japanese passport of Ms. KAKAZU Adelaida, a 90 year old second-generation Nikkei-jin who remained in the Philippines after World War II.

The term Nikkei-jin in the Philippines refers to the children and descendants of Japanese migrants who arrived in the country starting from the late 19th century through World War II, many of whom married Filipinos, according to the definition given by the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center (PNLSC).

In a news release by the Embassy, it announced the turnover of the passport to Ms. Kakazu after supporting her registration in the Japanese registry through interviews and examination of relevant documents.

The Embassy extended its message of congratulations to Ms. Kakazu and to the organizations who supported her throughout the process.

Minister-Counsellor and Consul-General HAMADA Maya officially turned-over the passport to Ms. Kakazu, with her grandson in attendance.

In an interview by Kyodo News, Ms. Kakazu expressed her happiness in finally being able to meet her relatives in Okinawa.

Kakazu was born in Quezon Province in December 1935 to a Filipino mother and a Japanese father, who reportedly served as an interpreter for the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II, but was captured by U.S. Forces and repatriated to Okinawa, leaving his family behind in the Philippines, according to the PNLSC in Tokyo.

The Embassy mentioned that it will continue to work together with related agencies and organizations to help Philippine Nikkei-jins who wish to acquire Japanese nationality.

“The Embassy will continue working closely with Nikkei-jin organizations, PNLSC, and other relevant offices to respond to the heartfelt wishes of the remaining Japanese descendants in the Philippines, and support their acquisition of Japanese nationality as well as temporary visits to Japan,” the Embassy said.

According to data from 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; 1,649 have obtained Japanese citizenship, while 1,841 died without recognition as of 2025. Some 134 are still alive, but only 49 remain eligible to reclaim Japanese citizenship.