Details

Category: Miscellaneous

Updated Information On
The Registration of New Filipino Community Organizations (FCOs) and
Update of Information of Registered Filipino Community
Organizations (RFCOs) Under The Embassy’s Jurisdiction
Effective as of January 2023

Filipino Community Organizations (FCOs) in Japan are encouraged to become Registered Filipino Community Organizations (RFCO). An RFCO is accorded official recognition (but no legal personality) by the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Registration with the Philippine Embassy requires certain responsibilities so that the purpose and objective of the FCO may be met.

What are the perks of being registered?

• Regular information bulletin and advisories from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, particularly on disaster preparedness and assistance during emergency situations.
• Invitations to participate in Philippine Embassy activities.
• The opportunity to build community and make Japan feel like home by belonging to a network of Filipino community organizations.

What is a Philippine Embassy Registered Filipino Community Organization (RFCO) and what are the roles and limitations of being registered as one?

• RFCOs are separate entities from the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Their programs, events, and activities do not represent the Philippine Embassy.
• Registration with the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo does not mean endorsement of RFCO programs, events, and activities, particularly their fund-raising activities.
• Registration with the Embassy does not confer upon the RFCOs any power to represent the Embassy or to undertake any transactions on its behalf unless the Embassy provides it prior explicit written consent.
• RFCOs may not use the Embassy or Philippine Government seal nor the photographs and likenesses of the Embassy or Government officials without their prior written consent.
• The Embassy registration shall not be used by the RFCO in support of any commercial or for-profit endeavor and shall not be used to facilitate or influence any transactions with the Embassy or the Philippine Government.
• Registration with the Embassy does not confer upon the RFCO any rights and privileges other than those specifically mentioned in the rules and regulations governing this registration.
• The Embassy reserves the right to revoke the registration should it find that the RFCO has violated or is not abiding by the Philippines and Japanese laws and official issuances and the regulations governing the registration of Filipino Community Organizations.

A. REGISTRATION OF NEW FILIPINO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (FCOs)

What are the criteria for registration of new FCOs:

1. It is based in a Japanese prefecture under the Philippine Embassy’s jurisdiction, namely Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Hokkaido, Ibaraki, Iwate, Kanagawa, Miyagi, Okinawa, Saitama, Tochigi, Tokyo, and Yamagata.
2. Its leaders and the majority of its members must be Filipino citizens and/or of Filipino descent.
3. Its leaders and members must reside in Japanese prefectures under the Philippine Embassy’s jurisdiction.
4. The FCO, its leaders, and its members must comply with the rules and regulations of the Philippine Government as well as the rules and regulations of the Japanese Government. In particular, the FCO must not exploit fellow Filipinos and denigrate the reputation of the Philippines.
5. The FCO must not be profit-oriented and engaged in commerce.
6. FCO must be dedicated to civic purposes, wholesome recreation, self-improvement, mutual aid and protection, and engage in activities that enhance their sense of Philippine national pride and preservation of unity and cooperation in the Filipino community.

To obtain accurate and updated information, please send an email to:

The Cultural Section
Philippine Embassy in Tokyo
5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-8537
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(+81) 03-5562-1600 ext. 117

Process for Registration of New FCOs:

1. Contact the Cultural Section to obtain accurate and updated information regarding the requirements and process;
2. Fill out the Registration Form via Google Form which shall be shared by the Cultural Section via email; and submit the FCO Constitution and By-laws (FCO Model Constitution), and the Signatory Certification Agreement (SCA Form);
3. Evaluation of the application for registration of the new FCO shall only begin upon receipt of the application with the complete documents (Constitution and By-Laws and the Signatory Certification Agreement).
4. Posting of the FCO information, name, acronym, purpose, and names of its Officers at the Consular Section’s Bulletin for 10 working days. The application shall be given due course should no derogatory information is received from the public within 15 working days from the date of posting.
5. Orientation for new FCOs.
   The Cultural Section shall contact the FCO through the registered email address of the FCO President regarding the schedule of the Orientation. It may be held online or in person as determined by the Embassy and must be attended by at the incumbent President and two (2) other Officers of the FCO.
6. Official Notification of Registration
   The Cultural Section shall provide a Certificate of Registration to the newly-registered FCOs.

Once registered, the RFCO can no longer change the name and acronym of the RFCO. Please note that RFCOs shall be REQUIRED to submit a brief annual accomplishment report to the Embassy, by end of March of each year, detailing the RFCO activities undertaken and assistance rendered to Filipinos for the preceding year.

There are NO fees collected/charged for registration.

Filing of Applications for Registration is open only
from July to December of each year.

B. UPDATE OF INFORMATION OF REGISTERED FILIPINO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS (RFCOs)

All Registered Filipino Community Organizations (RFCOs) under the Philippine Embassy’s jurisdictions are highly encouraged to regularly update their information with the Embassy, at least once a year or as soon as there are changes to the records of the RFCOs.

Updating of information refers to the change of officers, the address of the RFCO’s President, the contact information of the RFCO and the RFCO’s President, amendments in the RFCOs Constitution and By-Laws, and Signatories in the Signatory Certification Agreement (SCA).

Please note that the RFCO’s NAME and ACRONYM cannot be updated or changed.

There are NO fees collected/charged for the Updating of Information of RFCOs.
Updating of information of RFCOs can be done all year round.

To obtain accurate and updated information, please send an email to:

The Cultural Section
Philippine Embassy in Tokyo
5-15-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan 106-8537
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(+81) 03-5562-1600 ext. 117

Process for Updating of Information of RFCOs:

1. Contact Cultural Section to obtain accurate and updated information regarding the process;
2. Fill out the Registration Form via Google Form that will be shared by the Cultural Section via email.For initial (first-time) updating, submit the RFCO Constitution and By-laws, and the updated Signatory Certification Agreement (link to the SCA Form).For succeeding updating of RFCO information, the RFCO’s Constitution and By-Laws and Signatory Certification Agreement shall no longer be required unless there are changes/amendments/revisions to these documents.

Please note that RFCOs shall be REQUIRED to submit a brief annual accomplishment report to the Embassy by end of March of each year, detailing the RFCOs’ activities undertaken and assistance rendered to Filipinos for the preceding year.

For the Public’s information and reference.