NHK World-Japan recently released a short documentary featuring the emotional journey of Rosalina Kamba, a second-generation Japanese descendant who traveled to Japan for the first time to visit her father’s grave.
The video follows Rosalina as she travels to Japan upon the invitation of the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center and with support from the Japanese government. Accompanied by her daughter, she journeys to Houki in Tottori Prefecture, the place where her father is buried.
For Rosalina, the moment carried the weight of nearly 80 years of waiting. Her Japanese father left during the turmoil of World War II and never returned after making a promise to come back for her. Standing at his grave for the first time, the visit marked the fulfillment of a lifelong wish one shaped by separation, unanswered questions, and the lingering impact of war.
Rosalina’s story reflects the experience of many second-generation Nikkei-jin left behind in the Philippines after the war. Even today, a number of these descendants remain unrecognized as Japanese citizens, despite clear family ties and decades of efforts to reconnect with their heritage.
Through stories like Rosalina’s, the hope remains that greater awareness will encourage meaningful action toward resolving the long-standing issue of war-displaced Japanese descendants.
The Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center continues to work with lawyers, researchers, and both governments to locate remaining descendants, assist with documentation and nationality cases, and advocate for recognition of Japanese nationality for eligible Nikkei-jin.
Watch the documentary here: NHK World-Japan