Manila asks Japan to receive Filipinos from S Korea in emergency

JapanToday ^ | 11/27/2010

[FromLori]

The Philippines has sounded Japan out on the possibility of evacuating tens of thousands of Filipinos in South Korea to Japan in case of an emergency situation on the Korean Peninsula, an official said Friday.

Edwin Lacierda, spokesman of President Benigno Aquino, told a news briefing at the Presidential Palace that part of the government’s contingency plan is to evacuate the country’s nearly 60,000 nationals in South Korea to the ‘‘nearest’’ safe place, which is Japan.

Lacierda said the Foreign Affairs Department is already in talks with the Japanese ambassador in Manila to seek Japan’s permission ‘‘to allow our nationals to stay there for purposes of being evacuated’’ if the situation on the peninsula seriously escalates beyond last Tuesday’s artillery exchanges between the two Koreas.

He said bringing them all straight back to the Philippines in a short time during an emergency situation would not be feasible, citing the nine-hour turn-around time between Manila and Seoul.

‘‘As far as our plea to Japan, it’s purely humanitarian. That’s one of the exit points that we’re looking into,’’ he said.

[lefty-lie-spy]

MacArthur would be disappointed. The USA should spearhead any and all efforts in the Philippines. I love that country and her people and their conviction more than any other.

[NeverForgetBataan]

If the Japanese have even half a brain, they better not hesitate a yes on that request.

[DTogo]

If they learn how to speak Japanese and assimilate, allow them to stay. It could help Japan with it's declining population problem.

日本＊ピング＊ (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[AmericanInTokyo]

They would be evac'ed, probably housed comfortably near Haneda Airport for a week or so, and then sent right onward to the Philippines, w/GOJ and Gov. of PI probably splitting the costs. Japan would not accept them, nor does it have a duty to do so, on a long term basis, only short term humanitarian evac　refugees with a limited landing period. They would do that, but no more I am certain. If any Filipino wants to stay in Japan for anything more than three months, they are going to have to do it through the Japanese embassy in Manila or a consulate, and have a job and a sponsor lined up here in recession Japan. However, if they relaxed the vigorous (some would say "xenophobic") caregiver and nursing tests here--centering mostly on required fluency in Japanese, you might see a number of them employed in health care industry, but it won't happen overnight.

The irony is that the US government is liable to leave their civilians in the ROK to the last moment, as sitting ducks, and then have a big last minute Chinese fire drill over the whole thing--if Obama and Hilary are in charge over it.

[lefty-lie-spy]

That’s exactly right. All the Filipinas I know here are married to rich old geezers. There’s not a one that can come here to stay on their own outside of a business visa or marriage - but that’s the same for everyone, including Americans, so its not anything special there. Except the illegals from Africa of course.

[DTogo]

However, if they relaxed the vigorous (some would say "xenophobic") caregiver and nursing tests here--centering mostly on required fluency in Japanese, you might see a number of them employed in health care industry, but it won't happen overnight.

That's what they should do, and also perhaps set up a "marry a lonely farmer" visa program to keep the domestic production of subsidized, over-priced (but delicious) Japanese rice going.