Philippine Statistics Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2024-31: “Clarificatory Guidelines on the Memorandum of Agreement between Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. for the Delayed Registration of Aging 2nd Generation of Filipino-Japanese Descendants.” (Eliminating the mandatory requirement of "Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons" requirement for delayed registration by Japanese-Filipino Nisei aged 80 and over) (issued on November 15, 2024)

2024/12/13
1 Due to the chaos during and after the World War II, the remaining Pillipino-Japanese descendants/2nd generation Nikkei-jin who were left behind and did not have the necessary documents such as their parents' “Certificate of Marriage” (COM) or their own “Certificate of Live Birth” (COLB) are required to file for delayed registration in the Local Civil Registry (LCR) in their area in the Philippines, in order for them to apply for permission to be recorded in the family register at a Family Court in Japan or to be able to leave the Philippines and visit Japan after the Department of Justice of the Philippines recognizes them as a stateless person.
However, with the aging of the 2nd generation Nikkei-jin,in the delayed registration, there is difficulty in the mandatory requirement of  "Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons" which can be executed by persons who are older than the 2nd generation Nikkei-jin, (Note: Many of the 2nd generation Nikkei-jin who have not yet completed the necessary delayed registration procedures are already in their 80s and 90s.)

2 With the understanding and cooperation of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, on November 15, the Philippines Statistics Authority issued Memorandum Circular No. 2024-31: “Clarificatory Guidelines on the Memorandum of Agreement between Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. for the Delayed Registration of Aging 2nd Generation of Filipino-Japanese Descendants”, that has eliminated the mandatory requirement of "Affidavit of Two Disinterested Persons" in the delayed registration of aging 2nd generation Nikkei-jin who are from the age of 80 and above. In lieu of the affidavit, the Regional Screening Committee (RSC) of the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Rengokai, Inc. shall issue a certification after the evaluation and assessment of the applicant.
(Reference) Philippine Statistics Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2024-31
https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/psa-board/MC%20NO.%202024-31.pdf

3 With the implementation of the Philippine Statistics Authority Memorandum Circular No. 2024-31, it is expected that the situation surrounding delayed registration will improve and will proceed smoothly for those who wish to be recorded in the family register or who wish to depart the Philippines and visit Japan after being recognized as stateless person.

4 If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact or consult with the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
 
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila, 1300
Tel. No. (02) 8834-7514
Email: ryoji@ma.mofa.go.jp