June 2009

Religions for Peace Japan's Boards of Directors and Councilors Meet Jointly in Tokyo

On June 25, the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace held the 105th meeting of its board of directors as well as the 101st meeting of its board of councilors, in the Culture Hall of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Fifty directors and councilors took part. From Rissho Kosei-kai, President Nichiko Niwano attended as president of Religions for Peace Japan. Other committee members present from Rissho Kosei-kai were Rev. Takeshi Kawabata, director of the General Affairs Bureau; Rev. Keiji Kunitomi and Rev. Hiroe Kikuchi, deputy directors of the General Affairs Bureau; and Rev. Koichi Matsumoto, director of the Youth Department.

At the beginning of the meeting, Rev. Nichiko Niwano delivered a speech in which he reported on his participation earlier in June in the "Fourth Summit of Religious Leaders on the occasion of the G8," held in Rome. The participants then heard and approved reports on projects and finances for fiscal 2008. After that they discussed a project by Religions for Peace Japan to mark the fortieth anniversary of the World Conference of Religions for Peace in 2010, which will be to develop interreligious dialogue and cooperation for peace based on the concept of "great harmony." The project will include a program for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan by inviting Afghan religious leaders and diplomats to Japan and other concerned countries to engage in dialogue.

The project will hold a conference of religious youths in East Asia, a summit meeting of Japanese religious youths, a public symposium, and a charity concert. Since 2010 is also the 1,300th anniversary of the founding of Nara as an ancient capital of Japan, the events will be held in collaboration with the Association for Commemorative Events of the 1,300th Anniversary of Nara-Heijo-kyo Capital, a prefectural institution of Nara.

In the face of the rapid increase in Japan in the number of refugees applying for asylum, it was decided that Religions for Peace Japan will donate 2 million Japanese yen from its Fund for Peace and Development to help applicants meet their living expenses.

Before the joint board meeting, the participants made an official visit to Meiji Shrine and met with the chief priest, Rev. Seitaro Nakajima.

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