■ 2001 December

Taisho Region Believers Meeting was Held
On 2 December, Taisho Region Believers Meeting was held as the last regional meeting of Konko Church of Izuo. It has held 11 regional meeting in this year in order to prepare for the 75th Anniversary Grand Service. The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, delivered a commemorative lecture titled "Realize the Grateful Fate Given by God."

The attendee, who had 56 days before the Anniversary, chanted Konko Prayer leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated. Some representatives gave an address and a speech before offering a bouquet for the reverends. Then Senior Chief Minister gave a lecture.

At the end of the meeting, the declaration was announced, a prayer was offered by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, a closing address was given, and the commemorative picture was taken.

JLC Secretariat is Transferring to Hiyoshi Shrine
On 4 December, the 115th IARF/JLC (International Association of Religious Freedom/ Japan Liaison Conference) was held at Konko Church of Izuo. 7 members including Rev. Norio Sakai, Chairman of Rissho Kosei-kai, and Rev. Takeshi Nishida, President of Itto-en, took part in and exchanged opinion with the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church.

The 111th to 115th JLC were all held at Izuo Church because its secretariat has the rotation system among JLC member organizations.

the last JLC in 2001

The study tour to Hokkaido was carried out in August for the first time, in order to learn about Ainu as the organization serving for protection of the minority.
The next secretariat was charged by Hiyoshi Shrine (High Priest: Rev. Takahiro Miwa) in Aichi Prefecture, and the 31st World Conference would be held in Budapest, Hungary in summer.

60th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony
On 7 December, the 60th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony was held in Hawaii inviting religious leaders from Japan. Before the ceremony, Memorial Service was held on 5 Dec., for the victims of Ehime Maru that was collided and sank into the sea by the nuclear submarine USS Greenville in last February. Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, attended both ceremonies.

On 5 Dec., Memorial Service was held by World Federalist Movement/ Japan Religionist Committee (President: the Most Venerable Eiki Ikeda) 9 miles away form Waikiki beach. It had been stormy weather since the previous day, so that all the attendee got wet to the skin and felt reality of the terrifying accident that attached Ehime Maru the fisheries training ship.

Rev. Y. Miyake offering Konko Prayer

On the morning 6 Dec, WFM/JRC held the 20th Memorial Service for the victims of Pearl Harbor inside the United States Navy base and on the USS Arizona. It had a peculiar atmosphere to hold a ceremony inside the US base that had been in a war regime since 11 September terrorism.

Prayer was offered in front of the grave in the USS Arizona Museum

They went over to USS Arizona Museum to offer a prayer in front of the grave caved the names of 1,177 victims. Most retired servicemen expressed appreciation for Japanese religious leaders to offer a prayer beyond the side.

In the evening, more than 30 religious leaders from Japan and the local Japanese society had a reception at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Japanese religious leaders were anxious that bad influence on the Japanese religion in Hawaii would have been increased since the terrorism occurred on 11 Sep. On the other hand, local leaders informed them about too bad attitude of Japanese sightseers to Punchbowl (National Pacific Peace Memorial Park) and USS Arizona Museum.

Rev. Y. Miyake attended the ceremony

On the next morning, at the same time that the Pacific War started, the 60th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony was opened. Beside the strict caution against terrorism, the venue was tightly packed with attendees including TV clues. The flags of 50 stats of USA fluttered in the wind, standards of Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines entered to the National Anthem "the Star-Spangled　Banner." The Most Ven. Eiki Ikeda was introduced as the honorary president of Japan Peace Delegation and offered a prayer for peace.

Appreciation Service for Successive Patriarchs was held
On 9 December, Appreciation Service for Successive Patriarchs was held at Konko Church of Izuo conducted by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated. The attendee appreciated 4 Patriarchs from Founder Konko Daijin to Konko-sama the 4th.

The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church, gave as sermon in the ceremony to emphasize the importance of generation to generation belief.

huge monument for the 75th Anniversary

Accompanied with the Service, a huge monument was set to promote believers' spirit toward the 75th Anniversary Grand Service.

Izuo Church Had Tow Guests from Rissho Kosei-kai
On 11 December, Konko Church of Izuo had tow guests from Rissho Kosei-kai (a Lay Buddhist organization), the Most Rev. Nichiko Niwano, President, and Rev. Norio Sakai, Chairman. They have a meeting with the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church, and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated.

The Most Rev. Niwano serves as a International President of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), and the Most Rev. T. Miyake also serves as a Honorary President, furthermore, both reverends take an important role at WCRP/ Japan as Permanent Executives. Their fathers, the late Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, and the late Rev. Toshio Miyake had established WCRP in 1970 under the cooperation, so, they have responsibility to manage the organization.

reverends exchanged opinion

On this meeting, the reverends exchanged their opinion on how to act WCRP in the change of society after 11 September, and where to go the interfaith cooperation.

IRFO 4th Board Meeting
On 19 December, International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) held the 4th board meeting of 2001 at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka. Dr. Hidenobu Hiraoka, a Permanent Executive of IRFO and President and CEO of Seifu Gakuen School, offered a prayer for peace, followed by an opening address delivered by the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo and Chair of executives of IRFO.

Then 14 attendees prayed in silence for the repose of Rev. Tomotsugu Kataoka, the former Deputy Chief Priest of Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine, who passed away on 3 November.

Chief Minister delivered opening address

Secretary General reported the activities and accounts in 2001, and expressed appreciation for lectures; Dr. Masaaki Ueda, Director General of World Human Rights Center, Dr. Nobuyuki Kaji, Prof. emeritus of Osaka University, and Dr. John Breen, Chair of the Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions from School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London. Then they adopted the activity plan and budget for 2002.

Then the Most Ven. Eiki Ikeda, the former Chief Abbott of Nakayama-dera Temple of Shingwan-shu, informed the attendee of the Memorial Ceremony for the Victims of Ehime Maru and 60th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony that he had attended as an honorary president of Japan Delegation. At the end of the meeting, a closing address was made by the Most Ven. Jisho Omori, Patriarch of Benten-shu and President of IRFO, and a Prayer was offered by Rev. Akihiro Tsue, HIgh Priest of Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, on behalf of his father, the Rev. Takao Tsue.

Following the board meeting, a year-end reception was held. Dr. Megumu Sato, President and CEO of Otani Gakuen College and former member of the House Representatives, made a toast and they talked about the international issues and the desolation of Japanese education.


Staff Meeting for the 75th Anniversary

On 23 December, the staff meeting of the 75th Anniversary Grand Service was held with 200 attendees at Konko Church of Izuo. Izuo Church has the Annual Service on the 4th Sunday of January to commemorate starting of the late Rev. Toshio Miyake's missionary work since 1927. Especially, the Grand Service is held splendidly inviting many distinguished guests every 5 years as the great omen. This is the 75th year and the first great omen since the present Senior Chief Minister, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake succeeded his status.

A lot of distinguished guests are invited and many believers are coming to Izuo Church, therefore, they have prepared for the Anniversary since 6 months before. 200 staff leaders attended the meeting and listened to the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake's greetings and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake's detail explanation.

The Last Monthly Service
On 24 December, Konko Church of Izuo held the last monthly service of 2001, and presented festive chopsticks for the New Year to 3,200 believers.

Sadogatake-Oyakata Visited Izuo Church
On 25 December, Sadogatake-Oyakata (Master of sumo team) paid a visit to the Most Rev. and Mrs. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo.

Senior Chief Minister and Sadogatake-Oyakata

They talked about the serious influence of the recent recession on sumo business. Oyakata also expressed his aspiration that his team would make good results in Osaka tournament in the next spring to repay for Izuo Church's support of offering a training institute and accommodation for more than 20 years.

Senior Chief Minister Attended CORMOS
On 26-27 December, CORMOS　(Conference On Religion and MOdern Society )　held the 48th symposia under the title of "Refinement Education and Religious Education." The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, and Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director, attended from Konko Church of Izuo as an executive and a study member.

Rev. Tatsuo Miyake at the executive seat

CORMOS is a unique organization established in 1970 by the late Rev. Toshio Miyake, the former Chief Minister of Izuo Church, the late Prof. Keiji Nishitani of Kyoto University, and the late Prof. Toshimasa Doi of NCC's Center for the Study of Japanese Religions in order to tackle with the present day's social problems by exchanging opinions between prominent scholars and religious leaders. Izuo Church has supported the management of CORMOS serving as a permanent executive charging in finance field since it was founded.

Following the opening address delivered by President Nakagawa, CEO of Otsuma Gakuen School, two professors gave a keynote speech. "Restoration of 'Refinement'" by Prof. Hiroshi Takeuchi of Kyoto University, and "The principal and history of religious education in the North America" by Assistant Prof. Seiko Fujiwara of Taisho University.

The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake took an initiative at the discussion and the board meeting held after the reception.

Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake debated actively

On the second day, a panel discussion was arranged with panelists, Dr. Nobutaka Inoue, Professor of Kokugakuin University, Fr. Eishi Kishi, President of Eichi University, Dr. Komei Nara, the former President of Komazawa University, and Dr. Michisuke Kawashima, the former President of Perfect Liberty Jr. College. At the end of the symposia, the general meeting was conducted by Dr. Yoshiya Abe, President of Kokugakuin University.