Rissho Kosei-kai's Stance on Freedom of Religion
and Separation of Religion and State

Following the inauguration of the current cabinet, Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi repeatedly stated his intention to visit Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II, on various occasions, including sessions of both houses of the Diet.

Japanese religious circles immediately expressed opposition to his intention in view of the fact that the postwar Constitution grants freedom of religion to the people and calls for strict separation of religion and the state.

Since the end of the war, Yasukuni Shrine has been a private religious organization but it has a history of being dedicated to the spirits of Japanese military personnel who died in all wars since 1853. During World War II, as a State Shinto shrine, it was a symbol of Japanese nationalism. What we called the Yasukuni Shrine issue after the war referred to the visits to the shrine by several Japanese prime ministers, usually in what they stated was a "private" capacity. But such visits violate the postwar Constitution's guarantee of separation of religion and state, as well as of religious freedom.

The statement submitted by Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan) on July 9 expressed deep regret over Mr. Koizumi's comments about his proposed visit. Shinshuren also explained the organization's stance on the principles of freedom of religion based on the concept of separation of religion and state. As a Shinshuren member organization, Rissho Kosei-kai supports its decision and has prepared its own statement carrying the name of Rev. Norio Sakai, the chairman of its board of directors. Both statements express the hope that Mr. Koizumi would reconsider his intention to visit Yasukuni Shrine on August 15.

This is the first time for Rissho Kosei-kai to present a statement to Japan's prime minister with the exception of the occasion in 1969 when the late founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, as chairman of Shinshuren presented a statement about the Yasukuni Shrine issue to then Prime Minister Eisaku Sato.