Oita Philippine Friendship Association
The Oita Philippine Friendship Association was founded in the wake of the Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995,
to promote mutual-aid activities among foreign residents in Japan.
We took over the employment-support work carried out within the OPFA
and have 28 years of experience supporting people into work.
In recognition of our record in poverty relief and our contribution to international exchange,
we were nominated by the Foundation for Encouragement of Social Contribution in 2022
and received an award from Mrs Akie Abe.
Founding purpose
To help Filipino residents of the prefecture and of Japan who are in difficulty
To help Filipino residents of the prefecture and of Japan support one another
To support self-reliance in the poorer parts of our homeland
To strive so that even foreign residents can contribute to society in Japan
President
Rodora Yoshitake
Members
700
Living support
Poverty varies sharply between regions of the Philippines, and there are areas and households where simply getting by is hard. We provide food, daily necessities and vocational training on a regular basis. Major typhoon damage — of the kind Leyte suffered — also recurs, so we support disaster victims as well.
International exchange
Working with the Oita Prefectural Arts, Culture and Sports Promotion Foundation and local authorities, we create opportunities for international exchange. Proceeds from the charity events we hold as part of that cultural exchange go to the living-support work above. Exchanges between companies, including between engineers, also take place.
Life consultations
Under the same Oita Prefectural Arts, Culture and Sports Promotion Foundation programme, we run a free foreign-language consultation service. It receives enquiries from many Filipino nationals — permanent residents, and medium- to long-term residents such as Specified Skilled Workers.
Employment support
With the cooperation of Oita's care-work organizations, we run care training for Filipino permanent residents and people of Japanese descent. Participants gain qualifications such as the Certified Care Worker examination and the Practical Training course, and we support them all the way into a job.