News Headlines

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.

On March 14 and 15, SGI-Peru (PSGI) held a youth event titled “Soka Fest Peru 2026” at its culture center in Lima. The festival featured a musical portraying the story of a young person climbing Mount Huascarán, the highest mountain peak in the Peruvian Andes. This story showcased ways of navigating the ups and downs of life and the importance of encouragement from others throughout the journey. The event was attended by 1,800 people.

On March 22, similar cultural festivals were held in 14 regions throughout Peru.   

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.