News Headlines

News Highlights from Seikyo Shimbun
(the Soka Gakkai's daily newspaper)

Youth from Japan and USA Meet with Hiroshima Mayor Japan Clockwise from top left: Participants listen to Keiko Ogura’s testimony; Keiko Ogura addressing the youth; meeting with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui; and the youth delegation approaching the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb to lay the wreath [© Seikyo Shimbun] Youth from Japan and USA Meet with Hiroshima Mayor Japan:
On March 23, Soka Gakkai youth representatives from Japan and the USA met with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui. During the meeting, the youth reflected on their visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and its memorial museum the previous day, expressing their determination to work for peace and create solidarity and hope among young people through the power of dialogue. Mayor Matsui voiced his hope that those present would spread Hiroshima’s spirit of treasuring the dignity of life across national borders.

During the visit, the youth laid a wreath at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb. They also heard firsthand testimony from Keiko Ogura, an atomic bomb survivor and founder of Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace.
New Soka Youth Center Opens in Londrina Brazil The Soka Youth Center in Londrina, Brazil, with its colorful wall art New Soka Youth Center Opens in Londrina Brazil:
On March 13, Brazil SGI (BSGI) opened a new center, the Soka Youth Center, in Londrina in the north of Paraná state. The wall beside the entrance features colorful designs and an outdoor covered sports area will serve as a space for community activities such as soccer and basketball. Next to the sports area, there is a graffiti-style mural that symbolizes the diversity of BSGI youth. The opening ceremony was attended by SGI Youth Leader Mitsuo Nishikata and BSGI Youth Leader Edjan Santos.
SGI Participates in Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) Global Ivy Koek (speaking), coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment of the SGI Office for UN Affairs, served as moderator of the parallel event, “Women’s Leadership Advancing Disarmament, Justice and the Culture of Peace” [© Seikyo Shimbun] SGI Participates in Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) Global:
From March 9 to 19, SGI (Soka Gakkai International) representatives participated in the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at the UN Headquarters in New York. On March 11, the SGI organized a parallel event titled “Women's Leadership Advancing Disarmament, Justice and the Culture of Peace.” Miyuki Kawaoka, program coordinator for Human Rights of the SGI, presented a report on the Culture of Peace for Gender Equality Ambassadors pilot project. The event emphasized the agency, resilience and critical role that women play in advancing the culture of peace.
SGI Representative Attends International Event on Women, Faith and Climate Global [© Wilton Park] SGI Representative Attends International Event on Women, Faith and Climate Global:
From March 2 to 4, the Women, Faith and Climate Network held an event titled “Scaling Radical Collaboration” at Wilton Park, West Sussex, UK. The network was officially launched at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the leadership of former Irish President Mary Robinson. Emi Hashimoto of the Soka Gakkai International Office of Public Information participated together with women leaders from diverse faith traditions and policymakers from around the world. They explored opportunities for deeper partnership and reflected on how faith-rooted leadership can help address the climate and nature crisis.