School History

The school was formerly named Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Educational Center under the management of its mother association, the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai, Inc. It commenced operation on June 1992 with its PRESCHOOL Department having barely Ten (10) pupils in Kinder 1, and Fourteen (14) pupils from the Kinder 2, or a total of Twenty-Four (24) pupils. The first school president was the late Rodolfo Tutor Sr. who was aided by then School Administrator, Mr. Vicente Mori (deceased). The school’s first principal was Mrs. Atenodora Mori (deceased) who was then replaced by a Japanese descendant, the late Mrs. Aurora B. Jao (Ritsuko Honda). The first teachers were Mrs. Eva Nacario – Splain and Mrs. Ruelyn Cubio – Bobiles. Mrs. Bobiles.

Grade I was offered in the year 1993 and the institution grew to become a COMPLETE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in the year 1996, or after 4 years since its establishment.

At the inception of the school, the Japanese Language was initially offered as an elective subject. Many retired Japanese businessmen and educators came and taught as volunteers, headed by the late Mrs. Maria Murakami. At present, Nihongo has become a mandated subject from preschool up to high school.

In 1999, the school Board of Regents decided to open a HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT to meet the increasing demand for a Secondary Level of educational institution. Then board member Mrs. Ines Yamanouchi Papaya-Mallari did the legwork on the registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

and with the Department of Education (DepEd). As a result, the school became a separate entity, distinct, and unique from its mother organization PNJK Inc. and was duly registered with SEC. Reg. No. D199900952 dated 18th of October, 1999, and with the DepEd on the 20th of October, 1999. The name of the school was thereafter changed to Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai School of Davao.

On April 2001, Mrs. Ines Yamanouchi P. Mallari became the School Directress. On August 9, 2001, the school received no less than His Excellency YOSHIHISA ARA, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines. A year thereafter or in 2002, his successor, H.E. AMBASSADOR KOJIRO TAKANO, likewise visited the school.

Through the initiative of the School Directress, Mrs. Mallari, the school started to celebrate the Philippine-Japan Festival (formerly called RP-Japan Festival) in August 2002. Mr.Wilfredo Terante, Sr. became the 3rd School Principal in 2003.

On June 16, 2003, the ELEMENTARY Department was granted the GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION by the Department of Education (No. 002, S., 2003) and on March 21, 2005, the HIGH SCHOOL Department was likewise given the same GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION (002, S., 2005). The ACCREDITATION by the BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION to be able to accept foreign students was likewise granted to Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai School of Davao last September 23, 2005. With the accreditation, the name of the school was thereafter amended and has become PHILIPPINE NIKKEI JIN KAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL since October 17, 2005.

August 26, 2004 became a joyous and very memorable day for all the stakeholders of the school, because during the 3RD RP-JAPAN FESTIVAL, then Davao City Mayor, now PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, graced the occasion and was warmly welcomed by the Nikkei community. Mr. Duterte also joined the Bon Odori together with Japanese Cong. Ikou Yamahana and our benefactors, Mr. Masataka Ajiro and the late Datu Bago Tatsuo Uchida.

On December 8, 2004, another high-ranking official of the Japanese government, visited the school in the person of His Excellency RYUICHIRO YAMAZAKI, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines.

In 2005, through the kindness of the late Datu Bago Tatsuo Uchida, the school obtained a loan that was instrumental in the acquisition of a 5,000 sq. meters parcel of lot, situated just across the existing school buildings. It is where the Uchida Building that houses the Preschool and Primary departments was built along with the school’s sports complex that was inaugurated on June 10, 2006.

2005 was also the year when the 1st Davao City Baseball Cup, the brainchild of both Mrs. Ines Mallari and Mr. Yusuke Uchida, was held at Lt. C. Villafuerte Sr. Elem. School in Calinan, with five (5) competing teams in the elementary division only. This event was jointly hosted by Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai Family and Datu Uchida Development Foundation (DUDF).

True to its commitment to offer quality and standardized education, the school applied for accreditation from the Philippine Association of Accrediting Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) in 2007. On the same year, the PNJK-IS Calinan–Preschool Department started to operate with 15 enrolled students.

On December 10, 2007, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School was again visited by another JAPANESE AMBASSADOR, HIS EXCELLENCY MAKOTO KATSURA.

In the school year 2008-2009, the High School Department was granted certification for the EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTING (ESC) and EDUCATIONAL VOUCHER SYSTEM (EVS), the schemes that help the poor but deserving students to study under a subsidy coming from the government.

On August 22, 2008, Philippine SENATOR FRANCIS “KIKO” PANGILINAN visited the school on the occasion of the 20th Araw ng PNJK. The Senator said during his speech that he too, has a Japanese lineage.

On September 6-7, 2012, the PAASCU team had their formal visit at Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School that merited the Level 1 PAASCU and FAAP Accreditation Status to the Integrated Basic Education Program on November 2012.

On August 8, 2015, the highly sophisticated and fully-air-conditioned Junior High School/Nikkei Building was inaugurated.

Last January 28, 2016, the School President & Directress, Mrs. Ines Yamanouchi P. Mallari together with the Chairman of the Board, retired Judge Antonina B. Oshita Escovilla represented the Nikkei community during their MEETING WITH THEIR MAJESTIES JAPANESE EMPEROR AKIHITO and EMPRESS MICHIKO at Sofitel Manila, in time for their state visit to the Philippines.

On December 2016, the Nikkei community was personally invited by no less than His Excellency, PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, to have a special photo opportunity with him during the Japanese Emperor’s Birthday Reception hosted by His Excellency, JAPANESE AMBASSADOR KAZUHIDE ISHIKAWA at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City.

In order to cater to the last two levels of the K to 12 Education Program, Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School opened its Senior High School Department last June 2016 with 101 grade 11 learners. The pioneers of this new curriculum utilized the newly renovated 3-storey building, which was formerly the JPVA Dormitory, with seven fully air-conditioned classrooms.

Another triumph is added in the history of PNJK-IS when the school was granted the Level 2 PAASCU and FAAP Accreditation Status to the Basic Education Program on November 2016.

In the following school year 2017-2018, the school welcomed 116 enrolled grade 11 learners and 89 enrollees of the grade 12 level with the total of 205 learners enrolled.

The first batch of 86 grade 12 completers had their successful graduation last April 4, 2018.

This new high school curriculum comprises core classes and specialization classes based on the learners’ choice of specialization. The Senior High School learners are given privilege to choose a specialization based on aptitude, interests, and school capacity. At present, we now offer four Academic Strands: GAS (General Academic Strand), ABM (Accounting, Business Management) Strand, HUMSS (Humanities, Social Sciences) Strand, and the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Strand.

Considered as the highlight of the 25 years of the existence of PNJK-IS was the special visit of no less than JAPAN’S PRIME MINISTER, HIS EXCELLENCY SHINZO ABE and his wife MADAM AKIE ABE last January 13, 2017.

During the special visit to the school, Prime Minister Abe and Madam Akie were given a very warm and sincere welcome by the entire Nikkei community who joyfully sang “Chiisana Sekai” or “Small World”.  Thereafter, the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ) also performed a hand-mime presentation that encapsulated the Nikkeisians warm and genuine hospitality that touched the hearts of the visitors including that of Prime Minister Abe and his wife Madam Akie, who became teary-eyed while watching the heartfelt performance of the students.

Added to the history of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School was the visit of Japanese Congressman Mikio Shimoji and his party last September 19, 2017, in time for the celebration of the school’s 25th year anniversary.

Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School is being run by the following Board of Trustees: Chairman of the Board, Judge Antonina B. Escovilla; President & School Directress Mrs. Ines P. Mallari; Vice President, Mrs. Carmen C. Apigo; Secretary, Mrs. Ruelyn C. Bobiles; Treasurer, Mr. Rodrigo M. Suemitsu; Auditor, Mr. Juseven S. Austero; Board Members; Mrs. Adelaida S. Panaguiton, Mr. Felipe C. Hiquial, Mrs. Jocelyn Franco, and Mrs. Ellen Ocharon.

The incumbent Department Heads are the following: Mrs. Rowena T. Canlas for Administrative Department; Mrs. Mae A. Devero for Nihongo Department; Ms. Lorellie S. Jubilado for Preschool and Primary Department; Mrs. Jocelyn D. Franco for Intermediate Department; Mr. Rodrigo B. Velasco Jr. for Junior High School Department; Mrs. Lucia D. Josol for Senior High School Department and Mrs. Ruelyn C. Bobiles, Buildings and Grounds Supervisor. The Department Heads are ably assisted by the different Subject Area Coordinators (SACs).

The school continues to grow in number with our diverse local and foreign students, manned by competent and qualified teachers and staff, and with the strong support coming from the parents and the community.