A Lifetime of Building Heaven on Earth
Reverend Toshifumi Aso has accomplished much in his 80 years of life. He’s touched the lives of many poor Asian communities still affected by World War II, upheld the rights of migrant workers, and stood against the excesses of rich capitalist societies. However, his crowning achievement the role he played in bringing the issue of abandoned Japanese Filipino Children to light and in establishing various support networks for them. Now in his autumnal years, the grandfather of all JFCs gives YJM an exclusive on his youth, his life and his mission.
YJM: We all know that you were born in Korea and that it is Korea special to you. Can you tell us why this place is special to your heart?
I love Korea. When my family was escaping from it after Japan’s defeat in the war, the situation was totally upside down. The younger generation of Koreans hated the Japanese while the older generation, the lolas, aided us. We survived the escape. But my sister died of hunger on the way back to Japan. She is buried in Korea somewhere. I feel that Korea is my sister’s land.
YJM: Upon arriving in Japan, did the mainland Japanese discriminate against those who were born in the colonies like you?
Coming back from the outside, the migrants like us were very poor. . Because of this, some of the mainlanders looked down on us.
YJM: How were you able to survive that period?
My mother and father did odd jobs. In fact they weren’t very different from Filipinos in that sense. They were vendors. They sold candies, sweet potatoes. After awhile they had a small store.
YJM: How did you choose or discern to be a pastor?
I studied in a Christian school when I was in high school. The school invited us to church. During the first time I entered the church, it attracted me. Then I went to the church every Sunday. I didn’t know why but it attracted me so much. The activities of the church were so charming. Young people would have activities together and meet each other. After high school, while I was deciding on which university to go, I met very good teachers. When other young people were thinking about what to do, about believing in God, etc., I’ve already asked God to come into my life. That’s when I reached the decision to get baptized. Then I chose my path of the Christian life. So I decided to go to the seminary. I wanted be with God for all my life, that’s the reason why I became a pastor.
YJM: Spiritual persons have different ways of expressing their faith, showing their spirituality. As for you how were you able to decide what form of ministry you would take?
For me, what I have is called an outreach ministry. For most, ministry involves getting people baptized and getting them into church. My mission is to bring the church to the people. To just bring people to church, into the church square that makes for a very small world. That’s the fundamental theological difference of my ministry with the others.
YJM: So Reverend, basically, you want to take God out of the Church. Out to where people live? Where people work?
Yes. God loves everyone. But not all people love other people. Basically that’s the mission: to bring the church to these kinds of people.
YJM: Can you tell us more about the time you became pastor?
I became a pastor around 1968, during the time of the Student Movement. It was the era when Japan held the Olympics in Tokyo. It was around 1964. Japan was an under developing country before that, but after the Olympics, it became a modernized country. I became a pastor four years after that in 1968.
YJM: You mentioned that you met with the first JFCs around the 1980s, can you tell us about that?
I first met Filipinos in the early 1970s. The first time I visited the Philippines was in 1971. I had attended international conferences and regarded myself as a traveler. I didn’t have any interests in the Philippines but I was very concerned with the situation in the Asian countries particularly those connected to the Japanese. In the history of Japanese Imperialism and the war, Japan had made a lot of mistakes. We need to apologize to the Asian people, 20 million people endured this period of war. We have to apologize to the Asian people. I have that kind of mindset and therefore when I was invited here I went to see the damage. Its our responsibility to see the realities of the people, the poor people oppressed by Japanese money. That’s my way and my criticism of Japanese policies. Then a friend mentioned about mothers of JFCs asking for lawyers. That’s when I started the CNJFC network and Maligaya House.
YJM: There are 300,000 JFCs, that’s not a number one should laugh at. What do you think is the cause of that?
It’s easy. If Filipino and Japanese don’t meet Japanese, there will be no JFC. Especially right now among Japanese and Koreans, there are also many Japanese Filipinos and Korean Filipinos. Because Filipinos are eager to work with foreigners. This afternoon I visited Migrante, there I learned that there are 2,500 migrants leaving everyday, One day 5-10 come back as dead bodies in coffins. These workers get taxed . The government gets big money and that’s why it continues the policy. That’s what’s behind the situation of JFCs’ numbers multiplying.
But of course, on the individual level, if the Japanese man is very responsible to the Filipina and stick to the Filipina. They can give abundance to their family. It doesn’t matter if the family is abundant or broken there’s the JFC already. The Filipinas go to Japan and they create JFCs. Of course there are Japanese men who go to the Philippines and they create JFC but that’s not a big number. But why does the Philippines back that policy? That’s the point.
YJM: We all know that there’s a big statistics of unsupported children and children not recorded in the family registry. What do you think is the reason why behind this figure?
The Japanese are also an oppressed people. If a sophisticated educated, mature Japanese man marries a Filipina, they will raise the child. But the other Japanese they are also very much oppressed by Japanese society. They have 2nd rate jobs and careers. They need to look for something relaxing like cabaret. They go there to meet Filipinas. Some of these men are rich and some not so rich. But in Japan, they are not so rich. They look for something different, and some power. Those kinds of people don’t care about the responsibility. Also if a Japanese marries an American, European, they follow them and never abandon them. I’ve never seen a Japanese abandon an American or European.
YJM: What do you think the solution to this issue?
Very difficult. Economically, the Japanese government have changed their policies. Especially, right now the Japanese policy of giving away money is actually a business. Japan is a great country to raise money. Only money has value for the Japanese. From the bottom to the top, it’s all about raising money. There’s no moral standard, no responsibilities, there is nothing. Those with the heritage and the culture, they are abandoned. The old Japanese have to change their mindset. In Japan, everybody has enough.
The father works outside. Nobody cares about families. Only the mothers care for the families. Some of the mothers have to work and the children are pretty much abandoned That’s the spiritual atmosphere of the Japanese people right now. If we change that kind of lifestyle or value system then Japan will be a more worthy nation. If the old Japanese mindset/value system will change then the policies toward other Asian countries will also likewise change.
YJM: You have very contradictory stances from the normal Japanese. For example, history. They try to erase World War II from their textbooks. But you would bring it up. Also about the JFC issues, you stand up for JFCs instead of forgetting about them. Doesn’t this cost you anything when relating to the Japanese Society in general?
I’m a minority in regards to Japanese society. Even in the church world, I’m a minority. The outreach missions, concerning social issues. This is the only concern with the political mindset. This is my understanding of the bible, of theology. Therefore I need to see outside of the churches.
The church people know what I’m doing and since they cannot do the things I do, they need to accept my way at the church. But so far they accept my opinions and respect me.
YJM: Actually, you mentioned this outreach is your understanding of the bible, if you could summarize your career, your life in a verse of the bible what verse would it be?
The kingdom is not the outside, the kingdom is your home. The kingdom is not somewhere. The kingdom is here. The kingdom is with you.
YJM: What specific life lessons, I think you’ve accomplished very much in your life. What advice can you give to people who want to reach your level of achievement?:
The church workers need to change to their theology, need to look at the future again on another point of view. Their point of view, their theology is no longer applicable for the 21st century. Their point of view was created around the 19th century or sometime after Martin Luther. No, even at the time of Martin Luther. What the protestants started, it’s still now their very much the mainstream of their theology. It’s no longer adequate for the younger people. People have to check their reality and they have to read the scripture again.
YJM: Meaning you would advise people to constantly challenge their ideas?
Yes. I think so The church has a responsibility to change their theologies.
YJM: Reverend Aso, you’ve pretty much done a lot for JFCs. You helped build the Citizen’s Network for Japanese Filipino Children. You’re the founding board of Maligaya House. In light of these achievements, people regard you as the grandfather of JFCs. You have around 300,000 grandchildren! Now, if they’re here around you right now, what do you want to say to them?
The future is yours. And then, the heritage is yours. Not only yours, the heritage is ours. Every good belongs to every body not just a few people. Every land belongs to everybody, every nation belongs to everybody. We work together so we can achieve togetherness as a big family. That is the kingdom of God.
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United Japanese Filipino Children
Rev. Toshifumi Aso is the epitome of a true selfless human being. He had a full life filled with love and care for the poor and a life dedicated to God. Even in his final hours of battle against a lingering illness, he never failed to look after the needs of his flock and the people he loved wholeheartedly…people who are powerless and have been neglected, isolated and ignored in society for being “different”. He was a revolutionary by heart and soul. He wanted change that will benefit many, the powerless and oppressed. He was well loved by the people he served throughout his meaningful life.
I will remember many, fond memories of Rev. Aso. He spoke like a Filipino, he sounded more Filipino than many of us. Anything that concerns the Filipino community in Japan, he won’t be the last to know. He is our SOS guy, always there to the rescue. He had a very soft spot for Filipinos, he treated us and loved us like we’re family. Filipinos loved and adored him in return. But perhaps his constant smile will be my fondest memory of him. He will be sorely missed..
Rev. Aso, thank you for being a part of our life…and thank you for the wonderful memories. You were right, God is good, God is great! Fore He gave us the privilege to know you and be part of your journey.
Bring with you our love and hope that someday soon we’ll fulfill all of our hopes and dreams for our people.
Butch
The Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM) mourns the death of Rev. Toshifumi Aso, a dear friend and patron to many Filipinos in Japan.
Rev. Aso was well-loved by many Filipinos in Japan for his dedication and commitment to uplift the life of the poor and the oppressed. As a Pastor of the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) he guided his flock to a life dedicated to God and for the good of the forgotten and powerless people not only in Japan but elsewhere around the world. People he didn’t even know admired him because he was always there to care for them. He championed human rights and was always caring of the environment.
We, in the APMM, had many good memories of and fond encounters with Rev. Aso; last of which was when he joined the founding assembly of the International Migrants Alliance (IMA) in Hong Kong in June 2008. He was already frail then, yet he was very attentive during discussions and a joy to listen to during casual conversations. He always spoke of the situation of Japanese-Filipino children in Japan, how he was touched by their struggles in life, and how they needed help to secure a better future for themselves. Rev. Aso was selfless and a good man; he only spoke of others never of himself. And for his unflinching support and love for the Filipino people, he will be sorely missed.
APMM condoles with his wife, Michiko and the rest of his family for losing a wonderful man, a great son of God, and a father to many justice and peace-loving peoples of the world.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan ( New Patriotic Alliance ) in the Philippines sends its condolence to the family and friends of the departed Rev. Aso who served as bridge between the Japanese and the Filipino people.
Rev. Aso was the rare Japanese religious leader who listened to and fought for the needs, aspirations, and struggles of the peasants, workers, including migrants, women, children, etc.
He tried to build an alternative system in agriculture whereby the fruits of the land will benefit those who toiled on it and those who supported said system.
It is the hope of Bayan that many more Japanese religious will follow the path that Rev. Toshifumi Aso took in his life in our planet.
Mabuhay ka, Rev. Aso! ( Long Live Your Memory and the Causes You Fought For Alongside Our People Struggling for National Freedom, Democracy, Social Justice, and Peace !)
Rev. Aso is a gentle man with a solid heart for the poor. He fought for justice and sided with the oppressed.
I will forever remember his support to the cause of Japanese-Filipino children. He spoke on their behalf and made sure that they get the rights that they deserved.
I will always remember Rev. Aso for his kind heart and love for the Filipino people. I hope more Japanese will follow in his footsteps.
My sympathy goes to Michiko-san and the rest of the family and friends of our Tatay.
We, in MIgrante-Nagoya Love you very much!
I am deeply saddened by his passing, As a mother of two JFC’s we would like to thank you Rev. Aso for all your loved and sacrfices for all the JFC in the Philippines. Rev. Aso was the founder and chairman of the CNJFC/Maligaya House and to this day the fight for those children continues.
Rest in peace dear Rev. Aso, thank you, thank you, maraming salamat po sa lahat nang nagawa mo sa aming kababayan; you are indeed an angel in disguise God bless you.
I learned from the Japan Christian Activity News of the passing of my good friend Rev. Toshifumi Aso. I think he was a true Christian. I first met him at the Pacific Ecumentical Forum in December, 1990 here in Hilo, Hawai`i. It was held during the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pear Harbor. Rev. Aso approached Rev. Kimo Mersberg, a Hawaiian Christian pastor and personally apologized for the Japanese military attack at Pearl Harbor. The next day Rev. Mersberg apologized to Rev. Aso for the negative feelings he had hidden all these years against the Japanese people. They both shared this exchange of apologies to all of the participants of the Pacific Ecumentical Forum, participants from Asia, the Pacific and the Ecumenical Councils on the Western United States of America. This had a large impact upon the participants.
Rev. Aso and wife Michiko also joined us on Okinawa and Guam when we held conferences sponsored by the U.S-Japan Committee for Racial Justice. His work for Human Rights in the Philippines is well known. He kept on expanding his horizons as he participated whole-heartedly in Jesus’ ministry to the poor and the outcast. We join with others in honoring Toshifumi. Well done!