ACTIVITY
FY 2022 "Caring for our Common Future - Advancing Shared Well-Being"
1. Network-Builing
Through the entire activity, we promoted dialogue among religious and interreligious
groups, including Buddhism, Shinto, Christianity, denominational Shinto,
new religious groups, Islam, Hinduism, etc., and established a network
to cooperate for peace.
Interreligious Dialogue and Networking
(1)Tokyo Peace Roundtable
Dates: September 21-23, 2022
Venue: Tokyo
Tokyo Peace Roundtable brought together of religious leaders from countries
in the midst of conflicts, to identify and assess the specific roles of
multi-religious leaders working together in reconciliation and rebuilding
social cohesion efforts. Diverse religious leaders and government
officials from Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Russia, South Sudan, Syria,
and Ukraine came together in person (as well as online). With providing
safe space, delegates honestly exchanged their experiences, opinions, and
ideasto seek for peace and reconciliation in respective regions. The seminal
Peace Roundtable concluded with the faith leaders calling for continued
dialogues in the same vein, and committing to recognize their responsibilities
to ..."serve as peacemakers, bridge builders, and to heal our war-torn
communities.”
https://www.rfp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Tokyo-Peace-Roundtable-Report-FINAL.pdf
(2)Participation in the activities of the Asian Conference of Religions for
Peace (ACRP)
1) Participation in the ACRP Executive Committee
The ACRP Executive Committee meeting was held online on May 10-11, and
ACRP Executive Committee(EC) members from the Japan Committee participated.
At the EC meeting, the business and financial reports for FY2021 and the
business and budget plans for FY2022 were decided, and an action plan was
formulated to implement the Tokyo Declaration adopted at the 9th ACRP Assembly
(held in 2021).
2) Participation in the Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network (APWoFN) Online
Seminar
1st Seminar
Date: September 29, 2022
Venue: Online
The theme of the conference was "Tackling Trafficking in Persons in
Asia: Challenges and Best Practices," and approximately 60 participants
from the Asia-Pacific region attended.
2nd Seminar
Date: Novemberr 29, 2022
Venue: Online
Held under the theme of "Our Faith and Spirituality to Advance Climate
Change Initiatives," about 40 people from the Asia-Pacific region
attended. In Session 2, efforts to address climate change in various countries
were introduced, and the "Forestation for Life" activities implemented
by the RfP Japan's Task Force Team to Respond to Climate Crisis were introduced.
3rd Seminar
Date: March 9, 2023
Venue: Online
About 60 participants from the Asia-Pacific region attended the conference,
which was held under the theme "Promoting Women's Participation in
Peacebuilding and Reconciliation in Asia. Prof. Kathy Matsui of Seisen
University, a member of the Peace Research Institute, gave a presentation,
and Women's Committee Vice President Ms. Naoko Kawata and others participated.
3) Participating IPCR International Seminar
Date: February 11, 2023
Venue: Seoul, Korean/ Online
Since 2009, religious leaders and scholars from Japan, South Korea, and
China have gathered at the seminar, which has been held under the basic
theme of "Seeking Common Ground for Building a Peace Community in
Northeast Asia. For the first time since the emergence of the new coronavirus,
the seminar was held both face-to-face and online, with 72 participants,
including religious leaders and scholars from Japan, China, and Korea.
▶IPCR Seminar 2021
4) Support for Afghan Refugees
RfP Japan has been accepting displaced Afghan families in Japan since early
November, and has continued to provide assistance in FY2022.
5) Participating Interfaith Conference for Climate Justice
Organized by GreenFaith and co-sponsored by RfP Japan, Climate Network,
and others, the event was held on April 21 to raise awareness of the threat
of climate change and to call on people to take action on climate change
that reflects their spiritual wisdom and values.
(2) Support for Myanmar
In response to the many Myanmar citizens affected by the political upheaval
in February 2021, RfP Japan raised funds to support Myanmar, and continued
to provide financial support to RfP Myanmar's projects to assist vulnerable
people in Myanmar and health support projects.
Humanitarian Assistance Reaches People of Myanmar
(3) Related to the situation in Ukraine
1) Symposium
On April 9, 2022, the WCRP/RfP International Japanese Trustees (JT) and
the International Alliance of Religions (IARF) Japan Chapter, and was attended
by about 500 people. Prof. Yasuhiro Ueki of Sophia University's Graduate
School of Global Studies delivered a keynote speech titled "The International
Community's Response to the Crisis in Ukraine and the Role of Citizens,"
and was followed by a panel discussion by Ven. Junsei Terasawa of Nipponzan
Myohoji Temple, WCRP/RfP International JT Representative Tsunetaka Tanaka,
former Vice President Kyoichi Sugino of the RfP International, and Secretary
General Riyoichi Sugiyama of the IARF Japan Chapter made reports.
2) Dispatch of Volunteers
In cooperation with Focolare Movement, Caritas, Salam Lab (Peace Lab),
and other organizations in Poland that support displaced people of Ukraine,
the team conducted exchange workshops with the displaced people and provided
material assistance. Twenty-two people were dispatched up to the four teams.
A summary is as follows:
1st Team: 3 volunteers (July 15 - July 31, 2022)
2nd Team: 5 volunteers (July 31 to August 14, 2022)
3rd Team: 6 volunteers (August 14 to August 28, 2022)
4th Team: 8 volunteers (October 2 to October 16, 2022)
▶Statement on the Situation in Ukraine
(4) Support for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake
Following the major earthquake that struck southern Turkey on February
6, 2023, RfP Japan issued an appeal for emergency relief donations and
made an emergency contribution of relief funds to two civic organizations,
White Helmets and the Molham Volunteer Team, which are conducting relief
activities in Syria.
▶Emergency Appeal
▶Response to the Great Earthquake in Turkey and Syria
(5) Respond to Disasters
1) Disaster recovery support
Support was provided to the Evangelical Association of Social Welfare's
Work Center Mugi, which was damaged by a large typhoon in 2019.
2) Provided financial support to the activities of the RfP Philippine to
assist communities affected by the new coronavirus infection.
2. Seminars
The following seminars were conducted to help leaders and practitioners of religious organizations, as well as RfP's members, officers, and interested people, deepen their understanding of various religions and different cultures and the problems they face in the international community in order to contribute to peacebuilding.
(1) Peace University
Date: March 14, 2023
Venue:Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja (Kyoto)/ Online
The theme was "Beyond War, Toward Reconciliation: Religions Appeal
and Act," and about 100 people, including religious leaders, researchers,
and the general public, attended. Professor Emeritus Kazuko Shiojiri of
Tsukuba University gave the keynote address, "Is it possible for humanity
to love its enemies in order to survive? was the keynote topic of the session.
The panel discussion was coordinated by Makio Takemura, Director of the
Peace Research Institute (Professor Emeritus, Toyo University), and featured
panelists Masamichi Kamiya (Senior Advisor, Asian Conference of Religions
for Peace (ACRP)), Kathy Matsui (Professor, Seisen University), and Juichiro
Tanabe (Lecturer, Center for International Education, Waseda University).
(2) New Year's Symposium
Date: Janurary 26, 2023
Venue: Rissho Kosei-kai Horinkaku (Tokyo)/ Online
The theme of the study session was "Beyond War, Toward Reconciliation:
Practicing Peacebuilding Based on Cooperation among Religions. The study
session began with an opening address by Michihiro Kurozumi, Director of
Kurozumi Church, followed by a presentation by Masahiro Nemoto (Deputy
Secretary General of RfP International) on the history of the first Tokyo
Peace Roundtable (September 2022) and its outcomes, and a report on "Ukrainian
Refugee Humanitarian Assistance Volunteers" by Dr. Seunghee An (Director
of Promoting Peace, RfP Japan.
Dr. An's report on the "Ukrainian Refugee Humanitarian Assistance
Volunteers" was also presented.
Following this, Professor Emeritus Yuko Tanaka, Specially Appointed Professor
of the Edo Tokyo Research Center and former President of Hosei University,
gave a keynote speech on the theme of "Values and Happiness in the
Edo Period. This was followed by a panel discussion coordinated by Rev.
Shinsaku Hashimoto (Director of the Tokyo Mission Center, Oomoto.
3. Advocacy
(1) Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Disarmament
Task Force Team to "Stop! Nuclear Dependence" took the lead in working toward the abolition and disarmament of nuclear weapons.
(i) Activities in preparation for the First Conference of the Parties to
the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons（TPNW)
▶Announcement and submission to the government of the "Statement for
the First Conference of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition
of Nuclear Weapons
Statement for The First Meeting of States Parties to The Treaty on The
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
▶Participated in the First Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to
the TPNW in Vienna, Austria
The historic first Meeting of State Parties to the TPNW took place in Vienna
(ii) The 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty
(NPT)
The 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the NPT was held at UN Headquarters
in New York from August 1 to 26, and Rev. Masamichi Kamiya participated
in the conference as a member of the Stop! Nuclear Dependence Task Force.
(iii) "Pugwash Conferences and the Concept of 'Non-War'" Lecture
Series
Since 2018, the Pugwash Japan, International Peace Research Institute Meiji
Gakuin University (PRIME), and RfP Japan have jointly organized a series
of lectures.
1st Lecture
Date:June 29, 2022
Venue: Online
Lecturers:Mr. Akira Kawasaki (ICAN International Steering Committee Member,
Co-President of Peace Boat), Mr. Keita Takagaki (ICRC Youth Representative,
Waseda University)
Theme: Making the Most of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
2nd Lecture
Date:July 30, 2022
Venue: Online
Lecturer:Prof. Peter Kuznick (Professor of American University)
Theme: Peace and Democracy in the Nuclear Age- What the War in Ukraine
Should Teach the American and Japanese People-
3rd Lecture
Date:January 7, 2023
Venue: Online
Lecturer: Mr. Kenichi Okubo, President of the Association of Lawyers Against
Nuclear Weapons and Co-Chair of Japan NGO Network for Nuclear Weapons Abolition
Theme: The Looming Danger of Nuclear War and Us" - Seeking the Abolition
of Nuclear Weapons and the Globalization of Article 9-
4th Lecture
Date:February 27, 2023
Venue:Online
Lecturer: Mr. Masao Tomonaga (President of Hibakusha Techo Community of
Nagasaki)
Theme: The meaning of Hibakusha's direct appeal to the American citizens
at this time
iv) Seminar for the abolition of nuclear weapons
Date:October 29, 2022
Nenue: Online
The theme was "Toward a Nuclear Free World: New Contributions through
Religious Dialogue and Cooperation" and about 100 people attended.
The event began with Ms. Sueko Hada (a member of Rissho Kosei-kai Hiroshima
Dharma Center) giving her A-bomb testimony.
At the session on "The Potential of Religion," Ms. Beatrice Finn,
Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
(ICAN), gave a video message, followed by presentations by Mr. Keisuke
Suzuki, Member of the House of Representatives and Secretary General of
the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND),
Ven.Sojo Kobayashi, Tendai Shu Councilor and General Manager, and Mr. Kimiaki
Tokumasu, Director of the Japan Muslim Association.
(v) Participation in peace-related events in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
On August 5 and 6, Prof. Desmond Cahill, Moderatorr of the Asian Conference
of Religions for Peace (ACRP), and Rev. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary
General of RfP Japan, visited Hiroshima and attended events related to
the A-bomb memorial service.
On the 8th, Chairperson Makoto Uematsu (Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal
Church of Japan) and Rev. Akiko Fukada (Director of Enokyo International
Missionary Center) attended the 50th Memorial Service for the Victims of
the Atomic Bomb organized by the Fellowship of Religionists of Nagasaki for Dialogue, and Rev. Uematsu delivered the "Memorial Address". On the 9th,
they attended the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Service for the Victims of the
Atomic Bomb organized by Nagasaki City.
(vi) Cooperation with the Conference of Chiefs of Peace
We exchanged views with the Mayors for Peace for the abolition of nuclear
weapons and confirmed their future collaboration.
(vii) Stop! Nuclear Dependence Task Force Team met six times online to
discuss its projects.
(viii) Archives
2022.09.14 Statement for The First Meeting of States Parties to The Treaty on The
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
2022.09.14 The historic first Meeting of State Parties to the TPNW took place in Vienna
2022.09.14 Religions for Peace Japan's Statement on the bringing into force of TPNW
(2) Initiatives for Climate Change
(i) "WCRP Forest of Integrated Life" Project
Religions for Peace Japan has been engaged in tree-planting activity at
approximately 10,000 square meters of land in Tokorozawa City, Saitama
Prefecture, with the cooperation of the Saitama Prefectural Government,
Tokorozawa Municipal Office, and local residents community. As a part of
forestation project, Religions for Peace Japan organized "Bamboo Shoot
Digging Festival," "Safety Prayer Ceremony," "Tree
Planting Festival" throughout the year and approximately 100 people
from various religious communities and local residents participated in
those events.
(ii) Workshop with Digital Globe
Volunteer staff of Rissho Kosei-kai and its Ota Dharma Center co-hosted
"Eat, Play, Contribute to Society! Children's Autumn Festival &
WCRP Ichijyo Festa," and held a workshop using the digital globe.
(iii)Task Force Team to Respond to the Climate Crisismet three times to discuss its projects.
(3) Promote Education for Reconciliation
(i) Training of Facilitators for Peace and Reconciliation
Education for Reconciliation Task Force Team holds the "Training of Facilitator for Peace and Reconciliation"
with the aim of developing human resources who can overcome conflicts and
bring about reconciliation, from familiar relationships such as between
parents and children to the international level.
(ii) "Training Seminar for Facilitators of Peace and Reconciliation"
and follow-up
In FY2022, a follow-up seminar was held to network through exchanges among people interested in peacebuilding, mainly participants of the first (2017-2018) and second (2020-2021) seminars, as well as to further enhance their knowledge and abilities as facilitators.
The first follow-up seminar in FY2022: "Living Together"
Date: May 7-8, 2022
Venue: ARI (Tochigi)
Tomoko Arakawa, Principal of ARI, and Professor Jeffrey Mensendieck (J.
F. Oberlin University) were invited as lecturers to give lectures on the
theme of food life in the rich natural environment of ARI. Participants
also experienced the importance of food and life through meal preparation,
learned about the dignity of life and multicultural conviviality, and thought
about living together. The contents were published in the June issue of
"WCRP" magazine.
Second Follow-up Seminar in FY2022: "Aiming for a Society in which
Life is Treasured"
Date: July 30, 2022
Venue: Kosei Library Audio Visual Hall (Tokyo)
Mr. Takaaki Ito (Visiting Fellow, Grief Care Research Institute, Sophia
University and Chaplain, Kosei Hospital) gave a lecture on "Toward
a Society in which Life is Treasured". Afterwards, students who completed
the 2nd seminar planned and conducted workshops to practice in the field,
improving their facilitation skills and polishing each other's skills through
comments by the participants. The contents were published in the August
issue of the WCRP journal.
Third Follow-up Seminar in FY2022: "Be Connected/Connecting"
Date: November 12-13, 2022
Venue: Minamata (Kumamoto)
In this seminar, Associate Professor Akiko Ishihara of Kumamoto University
gave a lecture on "Overview of Minamata Disease and What Arised from
It" after visiting the main gate of Chisso Minamata Factory and other
related places. Afterwards, Mr. Hajime Sugimoto, vice president of the
Minamata Disease Museum Storytellers' Association, Mr. Kenji Nagamoto,
an embryonic Minamata disease patient, and Mr. Kiyomi Ukishima, a former
Chisso Minamata factory employee, shared their experiences. Participants
learned from the experiences of Minamata disease victims and others involved
in the disease, and discussed the process from the conflict created by
Minamata disease to reconciliation, and the output (communication) of how
to connect problems that occurred in the past through the present to the
future in order to be active as facilitators in creating peace-creating
actions. The participants improved their skills by discussing and presenting
their findings to each other in groups. The contents were published in
the December issue of the WCRP journal.
(iii) A collection of records of the first phase of the "Facilitator
Training Seminar for Peace and Reconciliation" (July 2017-November
2018) was prepared.
(iv) Education for Reconciliation Task Force Team metfourtimes to discuss
the project.
(4) Prevent Human Trafficking in Persons
Prevent Human Trafficking in Persons Task Force Team worked with organizations working on the issue of trafficking in persons in Japan and abroad, focusing on awareness-raising and advocacy.
(i) Field Study
Date: July 14, 2022
Venue: Aki Fisheries/Human Ring Cooperative(Kagawa)
Task Force Team conducted a field study session to visit companies where
technical intern trainees from Indonesian have worked for.
(ii) World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July
30, we posted a statement on our website and announced our intention to
call for the eradication of trafficking in persons. In addition, a video
was created to raise awareness of the issue among Japanese society at large.
(iii) Participation to Japan Network Against Trafficking In Persons (JNATIP)
The company joined a network of NGOs, researchers, and lawyers working
to ban human trafficking, and participated in meetings about once every
two months to exchange information. In addition, on February 4 and February
23, they held the "Creating a Society Free of Trafficking in Persons!
-Our Awareness Creates Laws and Institutions".
(iV) Prevent Human Trafficking in Persons Task Force Team met four times
online to discuss its projects.
(5) Support for Refugees
(i) Programme for admission of Syrian Refugee Students
Since 2017, together with Pathways Japan*, we have been admitting Syrian
refugees as international students at Japanese language school.
*Pathways Japan succeeded the programme from Japan Association for Refugees
(JAR)
(ii) Participation to Japan Forum for UNHCR and NGOs
RfP Japan participated in meetings with the UNHCR and NGOs working on refugee
issues about once every two months to exchange information.
(iii) Participation to SNS Campaign for World Refugee Day
Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, voluntary organizations from J-FUN conducted a video relay on SNS, and RfP Japan also involved in the planning and operation as well as distributing the video.
4. Researches
RfP Japan has established the " Peace Research Institute" as a specialized research institute and continues to conduct surveys and research that contributes to peace. 9 study groups were held in FY2022 as follows. Also, the contents of the study groups are published in the journal "WCRP" to provide a wide range of information, and approximately 500 copies of the book are published each year, and approximately 400 copies are distributed free of charge to people in the religious community, universities, research institutes, libraries, and the mass media.
(1) Study Group
(i) April 19, 2022
Presenter: Juan Masia (Jesuit priest)
Theme: Pope Francis' "We Are All Brothers and Sisters" Argument
Against War
(ii) May 17, 2022
Presenter: Akira Kaneko (Professor, Oyasato Research Institute at Tenri
University)
Theme: Russian Religious Thought Overcoming Conflicts and Divisions: With
a Clue from the Christian Philosopher Nikolai Berdyaev
(iii) June 7, 2022 *Invited Lecturer
Presenter: Wendy Kroeker（Assistant Professor, Canadian Mennonite University
(CMU) Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies）
Theme: Mennonite Peace Theology: Its origins and application today
(iv) July 12, 2022
Presenter: Kathy Matsui
Theme: Religious Action as Educators: Toward Peace in Northeast Asia: Toward
Peace in Future Communities: Religious Action to Overcome Conflict and
Division through Nonviolence
(v) September 27, 2022
Presenter: Nobuo Mori (Director, Shariah Research Institute at Takushoku
University)
Theme:Thoughts on the Islamic Code of Ethics and Morality
(vi) October 18, 2022
Presenter: Makio Takemura (Professor Emeritus, Toyo University)
Theme:On the Problem of Good and Bad in Buddhism--Considering the Ethics
of Sympathy and Shared Suffering
(vii) November 29, 2022
Presenter: Tadao Saito (Professor Emeritus, Tohoku University)
Theme: Sustainable Diet and SDGs for the Future
(viii) February 28, 2023
Presenter: Tadao Fujimoto (Professor, Kokugakuin University)
Theme: On the Meaning of the Words Shrine, Shrine, and Mori
(ix) March 30, 2023
Presenter: Renta Nishihara (President, Rikkyo University)
Theme: On the Encounter between Christianity and the Ainu People-Bachelor's
Mission to the Ainu and the Anglican View of the Ainu-
(2) Ten meetings were held to discuss research projects and operations.
5. Women's Activity
Women's Committee was established to promote peace activities that take advantage of women's characteristics. The committee holds study sessions for an unspecified number of people to deepen their understanding of the dignity of life and to study the actual situation regarding the attitudes and ideas about life among youth in order to contribute to peace and ethics education.
(1) Women's Committee 40th Anniversary Ceremony and Panel Talk
Date:September 10, 2022
Venue: Forest Terrace Meiji Jingu (Tokyo)/ Online
A ceremony and panel talk commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Women's
Committee was held, attended by about 100 people (including online viewers)
from Japan and abroad, including religious leaders, members of the Women's
Division, and citizens. Under the theme of "ACTION WITH ALL BEINGS
- Staying Close to the Voiceless Voices of All," Yukiko Moriwaki,
President of the Women's Committee (President of the Allelujah Society
of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo), gave an address at the first part
of the ceremony. A video showing "40 Years of Progress" was then
shown, followed by congratulatory speeches by Chairperson Makoto Uematsu
(Bishop of the Anglican Episcopal Church of Japan), Secretary General of
the WCRP/RfP International Committee Azza Karam, and others. In the second
part of the symposium, Prof. Nanako Inaba (Faculty of Integrated Global
Studies, Sophia University), Rev. Daw Yin Yin Maw (Secretary General, RfP
Myanmar), and Soshuku Shibatani (Chief abbot, Sezenji/Daitokuzan Joboji
Temple) took the podium for a panel discussion. Prof. Ketty Matsui, a member
of the Women's Committee, served as moderator.
(2) Seminar on Life
Date:July 2, 2022
Venue: Online
The Women's Committee holds a study seminar on life every year to consider
issues of life from the standpoint of women of various religions, and to
deepen learning from various perspectives, including education, poverty,
and medical care, etc.
In FY2022, "I want to know about gender issues!" About 50 people
participated, and Prof. Kozue Akibayashi of Doshisha University's Graduate
School of Global Studies gave a lecture on the theme of "Gender and
Peace. In addition, participants shared their impressions and deepened
their learning through a question-and-answer session and group work.
(3) The Women's Committee met five times to discuss business and operations.
6. Youth Activity
Youth Committee has been established to promote peace activities that take advantage of the characteristics of youth, and programs have been implemented to promote a better understanding of religious traditions and cultures, and to promote mutual exchange.
(1) CommuniHeart Project
The project started in 2021. In order to address the issue of young women's difficulty in living, the "CommuniHeart project" was launched to help them make their own choices and live independently through communion with themselves and others. This project is designed to create a community where people can share their suffering and joy, to transform their perspective on life, to encourage hope for life, and to provide a spiritual home for each person. By encountering their "true selves" within that community, women find joy and confidence in each other, and in a turbulent world, the seminar was held with the goal of enabling women to choose a way of life that is not at the mercy of others, but is full of independence and dignity. 20 people participated in the seminar. Of the five total sessions held, three were held in FY2021 and two in FY2022.
(i) 4th Seminar
Date: April 9, 2022
Venue: Online
Theme: Me and "Society"
The three sessions, "Women and Society," "Women's Lifestyles,"
and "Views of Women in Religions," focused on issues faced by
women, living life in one's own way, and the dignity of women, with discussions
and other activities to help each participant face her or herself.
(ii) 5th Seminar
Date: May 29, 2022
Venue: Fumon Media Center
Theme: Facing "Pain" and "Worries"
In the fifth and final session, a workshop inspired by the traditional
Japanese restoration technique of "kintsugi" was held, followed
by a completion ceremony.
(2) Asia Youth Camp
Dates: February 5-8, 2023
Venue: Manila, Philippines
Co-organized by ACRP, ACRP Seoul Peace Education Center (SPEC), Asia-Pacific
Interfaith Youth Network (APIYN), and RfP Philippines, the conference was
held under the theme "Asian Youth as Peacebuilders. 60 young people
from 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region gathered for the conference,
including Yusuke Saito, Secretary General of the Youth Network Group of
Rissho Kosei-kai, as a member from the Youth Committee of RfP Japan.
(3) Gathering of Youth
Date: May 14, 2022
Venue: Kosei Library Audio Visual Hall (Tokyo)
About 30 people attended the event under the theme of "Connecting
and Expanding Beyond Yourself!
Under the theme of "Now and Then, Secret Stories of Religious Cooperation",
Mitsuo Miyake, head minister of Izumio Church of Kinko-kyo, who served
as the fifth secretary general of the Young Men's Division, shared his
experiences at the World Assembly and various activities of the Youth Committee,
followed by a workshop.
(4) The Executive Committee of the Youth Committee met four times to discuss projects and operations.
7. Publicity
To inform the public about the organization's programs and other activities, and provide the public with information on the state of religious affairs in Japan and abroad, dialogue among religions, and the peace-threatening issues facing the international community, the following public relations activities were conducted.
(1) Information exchange with the mass media
In FY2022, one press release was issued and sent to the mass media and
posted on our website. In addition, a press conference was held in Tokyo
on August 2 in conjunction with the visit to Japan of ACRP Moderater Desmond
Cahill, and a press conference was held in Kyoto on September 13 regarding
the appointment of the new chairperson of RfP Japan. Furthermore, on March
28, 2023, a press briefing was held in Hiroshima City regarding the May
10 "G7 Hiroshima Summit: Prayer and Symposium by Religious Leaders".
(2) Website and SNS
Through its website, RfPJapan made reports and announcements on its projects.
In addition to updating the website as needed, we invited the public at
large to participate in study sessions and other events, accepted applications
for such events, and responded to inquiries from citizens. In addition,
information was disseminated to the general public through the YouTube
channel, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
(3) Publication
(i) Monthly Newsletter "WCRP"
RfP Japan publishes 2,650 copies every month and distributes approximately
1,300 copies free of charge not only to its members, but also to religious
leaders, universities, research institutes, libraries, the United Nations,
NGOs, and the mass media. In addition, we publicized the magazine through
our website and sent it to those who applied for it for an annual subscription
fee of 1,000 yen.
(ii) Activity Report for FY2021
In December 2022, 1,500 copies of the Activity Report for FY2021 were published,
and approximately 1,000 copies were distributed free of charge not only
to members of RfP Japan and related organizations, but also to NGOs/NPOs,
UN agencies, libraries, and the media. In addition, we publicized it through
our journal and website, and offered it free of charge to those who applied
for it.
(iii) Religions for Peace Dialogue and Cooperation15
The 500 copies were distributed free of charge not only to members of RfP
Japan, but also to libraries, media outlets, and others. In addition, we
publicized it through the newsletterl and website.
RfPJapan also publicized the report in its journal and on its website,
and offered it to those who applied for it at a reduced price (800 yen).
(iv) Published a record of the first "Facilitator Training Seminar
for Peace and Reconciliation" (July 2017-November 2018).
(v) The 9th Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) Report
A report on the 9th ACRP Assembly held in September 2022 under the theme
"Asian Religious Communities in Action: No One Left Behind, Toward
Peace in a Healthy and Prosperous Asia" was published. The report
was publicized through the newsletter and website, etc., and was offered
to those who applied for the conference at a reduced price (700 yen).
(vi) RfPJapan Agenda 2030
In December 2022, the booklet "Agenda 2030" set forth in the
50th anniversary project of RfPJapan was published and distributed not
only to members of RfP Japan but also to NGOs/NPOs, the mass media, and
others.
8. Corporate Management
1. Legal Matters
(1) Reporting to the Cabinet Office, registration, etc.
(2) Duties related to corporations
2. Business meetings
(1) Board of Trustees
(i) The 24th Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Date: June 21, 2022
Venue: Campus Plaza Kyoto (Kyoto)/ Online
(ii) The 25th Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Date: January 26, 2023
Venue: Rissho Kosei-kai Horinkaku (Tokyo)/ Online
(2) Board of Directors
(i) The 40th Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date: June 2, 2022
Venue: Rissho Kosei-kai Horinkaku (Tokyo)/ Online
(ii) The 41st Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date: September 13, 2022
Venue: Rissho Kosei-kai Kyoto Dharma Center (Kyoto)/Online
(iii) The 42nd Meeing of the Board of Directors
Date: January 26, 2023
Venue: Rissho Kosei-kai Horinkaku (Tokyo)/ Online
(iv) The 43rd Meeting of the Board of Directors
Date: March 14, 2023
Venue: Kamo-wake ikazuchi Shrine (Kyoto)/Online
(3) Other meetings and records, etc.
3. Operations Related to Auditing
Conducted on May 24, 2022
4. Operations Related to Finance
(1) Duties related to asset management and administration
(2) Duties related to accounting, accounting, and bookkeeping calculations
5. Operations related to document management
Preparation, submission, management, and storage of various documents, etc.
6. Duties related to human resources and welfare
Attendance management, safety and health, and welfare, etc.
7. Duties related to general affairs
(1) Management of furniture, fixtures, printed materials, official seals,
etc.
(2) Handling of other matters that do not belong to any department, etc.