As one of only three Japanese staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Keiichiro Okimoto took up duties in the Philippines this year after stints in Africa and the Middle East.

He is committed to doing everything in his power to protect noncombatants in conflicts and detainees held by parties to disputes.

Last year, three ICRC staffers were abducted by Islamic radicals in the Philippines and held hostage for about six months before being freed.