Eight Japanese-Filipinos born in the Philippines prior to the end of World War II applied Wednesday with the Tokyo Family Court to be registered as Japanese citizens.
They were left in the Philippines by their Japanese parents after the war.
Seven have both Japanese and Filipino parentage while one was born of Japanese parents but was raised by a Filipino couple, a group of supporters said.
"It was a difficult path, but now I see hope. I hope we receive good news," said Fumiko Sakamoto, 78, one of the applicants.
She said she can still remember the Japanese words for mother, father and thank you.
"It was a hard living during the war," said Sumiko Arichi, 74, another applicant. "I am grateful I can visit my father's country."
