March 2012

Japan Religion Coordinating Project for Disaster Relief Considers Results

The Japan Religion Coordinating Project for Disaster Relief held a meeting in Tokyo on March 18 to review its work. Some 80 people, including scholars of religion and officials of religious organizations, gathered in the hall of the Young Buddhist Association of the University of Tokyo.

The meeting began with opening remarks by Professor Susumu Shimazono of the University of Tokyo, who is the project's representative. Representatives of 11 other organizations then reported on their projects for the relief of the victims of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan and reconstruction in the disaster areas.

On behalf of the Japanese Committee of Religions for Peace, Mr. Yoshinori Shinohara, a staff member of the committee, presented an overview of the relief and reconstruction projects that the committee had promoted through the collaboration of various religious organizations.

Rev. Keiichi Akagawa, head of the External Affairs Department (Interfaith) of Rissho Kosei-kai, explained the organization's relief projects, which had been carried out under the motto "United in One Heart." He also reported on the organization's new relief project at temporary housing units in the city of Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, and memorial services held March 11 at Rissho Kosei-kai's headquarters and its Dharma centers throughout Japan on the first anniversary of the disaster.

The Japan Religion Coordinating Project for Disaster Relief was established on April 1, 2011, to exchange information and promote relief activities for the earthquake and tsunami victims.

[back to News Archive]