Kenji Yutani: A Lost Japanese Nationality Case

How They Did it – Stories for Migrants by Migrants

Almost a decade ago, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Far Eastern University in the Philippines. I knew back then that there were a lot of opportunities waiting for me but somehow I felt that I hadn’t achieved a crucial task, to meet the man who gave me life.

In 2012, I’ve chosen to bid the Philippines, the land where I was born, goodbye in the hopes of finding my biological father in Japan. I had lived with my mother and stepfather in Tokyo as I was waiting in anticipation for the good news from Citizen’s Network for Japanese-Filipino Children (JFC), a foundation with more than a 20-year commitment to helping people like me. Also, in the same year, I have found out that my case is called a “Lost Japanese Nationality Case” because my birth was not registered at the Japanese Embassy.

To make a living, I’ve worked at a factory where I’ve experienced being harassed by my Japanese boss for being a Filipino, heavyset, and for not meeting his standards of machismo. Eventually, I was fired without any valid reason. At last, the 14 long days of traumatic verbal abuse were over. I worked at a laundry shop after that. All of my coworkers there were Filipinos. They welcomed me and taught me about all things Japan.

One day, I received a call from JFC. They told me that they’ve found Papa and he was also eager to see me. I had tears of joy.

The day I had been waiting for had finally come. Along with a JFC staff, I met Papa for the first time in almost 22 years. We met at the station, he apologized to me for abandoning me as he gave me a warm hug. I couldn’t utter a single word. Time had passed and in my mind, I wanted to tell him that I never held a grudge against him. I cried a river while we were eating together that day. Never have I imagined that this day would come.

Currently, I am still living here in Japan and working as an English Conversation Teacher. Life here is never easy for a foreigner like me. JFC discovered that Papa was sick. There is a risk that he might lose his eyesight in the future. I decided to stay here aiming for a better life and in order to see papa once in a while. From time to time we call each other and exchange messages on LINE. The more I visit him, the more we get to know each other.

Nobody knows what the future holds, but I can see myself in the next 20 years living in Japan. I would like to grab all the opportunities that Japan can offer to foreigners like me and have a convenient life. A good career is just the icing on the cake. Also, in my free time, I love creating videos on Youtube regarding life in Japan. Sometimes I volunteer for some charitable causes.

I’ve learned a lot of things here. One of them is that we shouldn’t let hatred fill our hearts. We should value our parents because we only have one father and one mother in our lifetime. And to you reading this, I hope that my story will inspire you to always think that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and nothing is impossible when you put your mind, heart, soul, and sweat into your endeavors.

YUTANI, KENJI B.
JFC – Lost Japanese Nationality Case

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