The Philippines-Japanese Association of the Philippines (PNJK) Medical Clinic was recently completed in Davao, that naton's third largest city. The project was made possible by a grant from The Nippon Foundation.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the of the PNJK, an association that has contributed to many educational development projects in the Davao area from kindergartens to universities.

The new medical clinic is its latest contribution to community development.

The new three story general medical clinic is located in central Davao, adjacent to the district headquarters of the Philippines-Japanese Association. The clinic has 11 offices for doctors who specialize in pediatrics, general surgery, and internal medicine.

Though built by the PNJK, the clinic offers services to everyone in Davao; not only the Filipino-Japanese community.

Clinic opening featured miniature Shinto shrine ceremony

The opening ceremony was held in the outdoor meeting hall of the Philippines-Japanese Association, and was attended by about 300 people from the local community. Filipino-Japanese students gave a lively concert with Japanese drums.

The Japanese consul-general for Davao, Mr Isoda, and executive director Ono of The Nippon Foundation attended the ceremony. Mr Ono expressed his congratulations, saying,”We expect the clinic to contribute to the Filipino-Japanese community and regional development.”

PNJK Chairman Austero welcomes participants to the clinic’s opening ceremony

PNJK Chairman Austero told the gathering, “It is 30 years since the founding of the Filipino-Japanese Association and I am happy we can celebrate in this way with the opening of this clinic. This will contribute to the enhancement of community health and improve the status of the Filipino-Japanese."

About 20,000 Japanese lived in the Davao area prior to the start of World War II. This was the largest community of Japanese in Southeast Asia. The war however led to its collapse.

Those who were still living in Davao following WWII suffered a great deal of anti-Japanese sentiment. Then in 1980, its members established the PNJK.

The present community of Filipino-Japanese, including descendents of the original settlers, now numbers about 6800 persons.

The Nippon Foundation supports communities of Japanese living abroad, which from 2004 includes assistance for those who were abandoned to their fate in various countries following the end of the war. Through this program, a number of Japanese have been reunited with their families in Japan.

(This article has beed adapted from the original, a piece in Japanese by foundation member Takehiro Umemura).