News Headlines

On November 18, new leadership appointments were announced at an SGI Representative Leaders Conference held at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Yoshiki Tanigawa was selected as SGI general director, succeeding Yoshitaka Oba, who was appointed as counselor to the SGI. The following individuals from around the world were also appointed as SGI vice general directors: Shigeo Hasegawa, Hiromasa Ikeda, Danny Nagashima, Hideaki Takahashi, Yumiko Kasanuki, Julio Kosaka, Hiromichi Oyama, Tariq Hasan, Suzanne Pritchard, Ida Gbodossou Adjévi, Sueli Soyano Ogawa, Lydia Salas Díaz, Toshio Kanazawa, Hirotsugu Terasaki and Shinji Shimizu.

Also, on November 15, 69 members around the world were appointed as Official Soka Gakkai Senior Leaders, and 120 as Official Soka Gakkai Associate Senior Leaders. Both roles relate to the conducting of religious ceremonies and the study of Nichiren Buddhism. 

On November 17, the fifth Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the seven-year period leading up to the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030 was held at the Tokyo Toda Memorial Auditorium in Tokyo, Japan. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada announced the amendment of the Constitution of the Soka Gakkai. He also encouraged participants to engage in dialogue to expand the circle of friendship.  

The meeting was held in conjunction with an SGI General Meeting. Those present included 280 leaders from 75 countries and territories who were visiting Japan for a training course during which they also took part in a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of President Daisaku Ikeda.

The Soka Gakkai’s theme for 2025 has been announced as the “Year of Soaring Higher toward a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide.”

On November 11, Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada met with HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan in Tokyo, Japan. Prince Hassan stated that the solidarity of people of faith is essential for achieving peace and introduced his efforts to promote interreligious dialogue. President Harada expressed his wish to strengthen collaboration to advance the culture of peace. Their meeting covered various topics, including the abolition of nuclear weapons and environmental issues. Prince Hassan was the inaugural recipient of the Gandhi-King-Ikeda Community Builder’s Prize at Morehouse College, USA, in 2001.     

On October 12, in response to Brazil’s severe drought, the Soka Amazon Institute, Brazil SGI and several companies based in Manaus took part in a relief activity under the banner “Águas de Ajuri.” To mark Children’s Day, volunteers distributed gifts of food, water filters that can filter river water and toys to the drought-affected river communities of Catalão, Paraná do Xiborena and São José, all located in the region where the Negro and Solimões rivers meet. Ajuri means “joining forces” in the local indigenous language. Luciano Nascimento, director of the Institute, expressed his hope that the effects of the climate crisis in the region can be addressed through collaborative efforts based on dialogue.   

In recent months, elementary and introductory Buddhist study exams have been hosted by constituent organizations of the Soka Gakkai around the world. On September 29, some 12,000 people took the exam in India. On the same day, exams were held in Ecuador and in six cities in Bolivia.   

On October 12 and 13, some 1,300 people took elementary level study exams in the USA. On October 13, introductory level exams were also held in Singapore and 18 venues in the Philippines, including Buguey on Luzon Island, hosting its first exam.

In October and November, exams took place across 400 venues in 30 African countries. One member in Ghana shared her appreciation that through preparing for the exam she was able to deepen her understanding and faith.