STATELESS: The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines

STATELESS: the Japanese left behind in the Philippines – NHK WORLD

Kristoffer directed STATELESS: The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines - a long form documentary for NHK WORLD.


After WWII, thousands of children born to Japanese fathers were left in the Philippines. Many became stateless, and around 50 are still seeking recognition today. The film follows several of these men and women, now in their eighties or older, as they search for traces of fathers they never knew.

Their lives were shaped by a pre-war Japanese community that collapsed under the violence and upheaval of the Pacific War, leaving families separated and identities fractured.

Many lived without nationality or legal protection, caught in the long shadow of repatriation and lost records. STATELESS focuses on their ongoing effort to be recognized, and the hope that even a small breakthrough might change what has been out of reach for decades.

Available on YouTube

STATELESS received over 250,000 views in its first two weeks.

Director & Storyteller

Kristoffer Rage Krantz Kristoffer Rage Krantz is a Tokyo-based director creating documentary-style films for global brands and broadcasters. His work combines journalistic depth with cinematic visuals to tell human stories with clarity and authenticity.

Having lived and worked in Japan, Sweden, and Brazil, Kristoffer brings an international perspective to every project. He has directed films for National Geographic, NHK WORLD, and HuffPost, specializing in stories that connect people, cultures, technology, and design.

Fluent in English, Japanese, Portuguese, and Swedish, he works seamlessly with multilingual teams and is available for projects worldwide.

Reach me at: hello@thekompany.co.jp