Hajime Yokota: A Dad’s Mission to Keep Filipino Families Safe on the Road

Action Inc. President Hajime Yokota has led numerous philanthropic efforts in the Philippines. His latest mission? Making the roads safer for Filipino families

For Hajime Yokota, what began as a Japanese teenage backpacker’s curiosity turned into a lifelong commitment to Filipino families, as both an adoptive son of the country and a father raising his own.

Today, the father of two is the president and founder of ACTION, an organization dedicated to helping children. But he didn’t stop there — he’s also an advocate for road safety, launching the Tamang Ride PH initiative.

Photo courtesy of Hajime Yokota

Serving the Filipino Public

As a Japanese national, staying in the Philippines for three decades has shaped Hajime’s mission and purpose in helping the youth.

“Whenever I work toward this big purpose, I always seek new approaches and try to act from multiple perspectives,” he said. “Nowadays, with AI emerging as a new tool, I believe more innovative ways will appear to achieve this goal. I hope to keep shaping plans with a sense of excitement.”

Living in the country has helped him understand how to serve the Filipino public and embrace its culture.

“One of my mottos is never to force myself to serve others beyond my capacity. It’s crucial to know what I can do and to offer support within that limit.”

“From this, I’ve learned that by placing myself in an unfamiliar culture like the Philippines, I’ve been able to create new ways to contribute to society. My activities in the Philippines have been possible thanks to the many Filipinos who have helped me. Serving is never a one-person effort — this is the realization I’ve gained over my 31 years here.”

Hajime Yokota with his kids Sodai and Shuji, and his wife Chieko

How Fatherhood Shaped His Philanthropy Work

From being a father figure to many kids under ACTION, Hajime is now a real-life father to his boys Sodai and Shuji aged 12 and 9. As a dad, he better understands the importance of a parental figure in the lives of the children he serves.

“Having worked with many children in orphanages and juvenile centers, I’ve come to understand what kind of love those kids missed from their parents,” he shared. “I want to help create a society where all children, especially those facing difficulties, are loved by their communities and parents, and can live safely and securely.”

Hajime lives by the Japanese saying “Children learn by watching their parents’ backs,” something he practices at home with his family. Despite a full schedule, he makes time for household chores.

“I want my children to see me taking the lead in fulfilling my social responsibilities,” he said. “My wife Chieko is a gender specialist. We’re both busy working parents, but at home, I handle the cooking while my wife helps the kids with their studies. I hope my children see how we divide tasks based on our strengths and practice this in our daily life.”

Hajime Yokota presenting during the launch of Tamang Ride PH

Making Roads in the Philippines Safe

On top of his youth-focused work, Hajime is busy advocating for road safety in the Philippines. In May, two vehicular accidents that killed several passengers — including children — made headlines, raising urgent questions about road safety in the country.

While several NGOs have launched similar efforts, Hajime hopes Tamang Ride PH will be a catalyst in changing Filipino mindsets around traffic safety.

“I believe there is probably no Filipino who would say they don’t care. But if you ask how exactly they engage with road safety, few can give a clear answer,” Hajime explained. “I want to offer ways for everyone to easily participate and, although it takes time, to create real change.” 

Through the program, Hajime and his team hope to build a road safety app and train thousands of kids on practical safety measures.

“In Japan, the number of annual road traffic deaths peaked at 16,000 in the 1970s but has since dropped below 3,000. In the Philippines, around 13,000 people still die in traffic accidents every year, and this number is expected to increase,” he said. “Unlike natural disasters, traffic accidents are due to human error, and because they are human-caused, I believe they can be reduced through awareness and behavioral change.”

Hajime is hopeful the Philippines will achieve its road safety goals. Despite being a foreigner, he feels deeply welcomed.

“I’m deeply grateful to the Filipinos who have accepted me and walked alongside me as partners for the past 31 years,” he smiled.

Hajime Yokota and partners during the launch of Tamang Ride PH

Taking Action Means Doing the Work

After three decades in the country, Hajime believes awareness must be paired with excitement and passion to drive change.

“When people sense that their participation can genuinely make a difference, they find hope — and that hope pushes them to act. It’s a leader’s role to offer that hope.”

In mentoring the next generation, Hajime leads by example.

“It’s more important to demonstrate through consistent behavior than to preach with words.”

Drawing from his Japanese roots, he integrates meaningful values into his work.

“Japan is known for its road safety and education systems, martial arts like karate, moral values, and a sense of public responsibility. I want to incorporate these elements into my work. Rather than trying to change things by imposing Japanese ways, my goal is to enhance Filipino values by adding aspects of Japanese culture — creating initiatives with perspectives that haven’t existed before.”

Hajime Yokota and family duirng a vacation

Dreams for His Adopted Home

The Philippines has become his home, and for Hajime, the dream is far from over.

“I believe the Philippines will continue to grow economically and develop in many areas, just as other ASEAN countries have done. However, issues like poverty and child welfare will likely persist. Japan is no exception to these challenges either,” he said.

“It’s important for me to keep steadily pursuing the activities I do now over the next ten years. But as the Philippines develops, gaps will inevitably remain. I believe my role as a foreigner is to help bridge the growing middle and upper classes with those left behind in poverty.”

Though he has already accomplished much as a philanthropist, Hajime is not done yet.

“What I’m doing now is my life’s work. Everything I see, hear, and experience while living in the Philippines becomes material for contributing to society. So, fulfilling something for Philippine society is inseparable from my life itself,” he shared.

“I feel excited thinking that as I continue to live here, there will always be new things I have yet to realize and accomplish.”

With his new initiatives, Hajime Yokota’s work to protect kids and families on the road is just getting started.

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