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2001 February
The 111th JLC was held
On 19 February, the 111th Japan Liaison Committee (JLC) of International
Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) was held at Konko Church of Izuo
(KCI). The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of the KCI,
Rev. Norio Sakai, Chairman of Rissho Kosei-kai, Rev. Yukitaka Yamamoto,
High Priest of Tsubaki Grand Shrine, and some ten members attended.
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JLC is organized by Rissho Kosei-kai, Tsubaki Grand Shrine, Itto-en, Shitenno-ji Temple, Japan Free Religion Network, Japan Chapter of IARF and Konko Church of Izuo. The secretariat is charged by all the members in rotation, KCI is on duty this year, so Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of KCI, manages clerical works.
On this committee, secretariat was taken over from Tsubaki Grand Shrine to KCI, then plans for year of 2001 was discussed. Demands for IARF international board were also deliberated toward the conference that would be held in Oxford, U.K. in coming March.
ASEAN Youth Network Conference was Held
On 16-18 February, the first ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Youth Network Conference was held in Bangkok Thailand. This conference was organized by World Federalist Movement Asian Youth Center (AYC: President is Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated of Konko Church of Izuo) and about 120 members gathered from ASEAN nations.
AYC was established in 1984 in Madras, India as the youth sector of World Federalist Movement Asian Center (WAC). Now about 8,000 members from central and local government, education society, business field, etc. are registered in South Asia (Indian sub-continent) countries such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It has carried out campaigns aggressively to construct and manage schools and orphanages, promote the vocational education, care street-children, prevent prostitution of girls, and abolish sex discrimination, therefore it gets highly respect from governments and international organizations including the United Nations.
AYC has not been so active in the Muslim countries in West Asia and Theravada Buddhist countries in Southeast Asia, so, this ASEAN Youth Network Conference was organized by AYC/Thailand that has continued active movement, in order to extent its campaign to ASEAN area.
 Rev. Mitsuo Miyake delivered an opening address |
 opening ceremony |
In this conference, first-meeting members could have a friendly chat from the start, because they had already exchanged opinions and understood each other on the inter-net. IT has spread more in most of South and Southeast Asian countries than Japan, as AYC has delivered its activity report by using the net once a month since last year. This will be the model of new international cooperative organization in the IT era.
On 18 February, Rev. Miyake had a precious occasion to meet His Eminence the Most Venerable Splem Patriot, the highest abbot in Thailand Buddhism. His Eminence insisted that the real religious leader is revitalized only when he/she serves for people and society not when he/she gets salvation. And he also emphasized how important the lifestyle of believer was to support revitalization.
 The Most Ven.Patriot, Prof. Tovivich, and Rev. Miyake |
The slogan for year of 2001 was adopted, then the conference was closed by Rev. Miyake's prayer.
General Assembly of the Middle-aged-man Believers Association
 believers listened the lecture carefully |
Following the Kansha-sai (Thanksgiving ceremony) leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated, General Assembly was opened. Mr. Akira Hirose, President of the Middle-aged-man Believers Association, made an opening address, then Mr. Hisashi Okamatsu and Rev. Norimitsu Kimura talked about their experience.
Rev. Shuzen Tanigawa gave a lecture under the title of "Desire the stability of life." He also served as the former minister of Mantoku-ji Temple of Jodo-shin-shu (the Pure Land Buddhism) in Amagasaki, Hyogo prefecture. After he had worked as Deputy Governor for Osaka prefectural government for many years, he was elected as a member of the House of Councilors. It was 6 years ago, since then, he has endeavored to promote the recovery from the Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake as the Deputy Minister of National Land Agency of the Japanese Government. He serves as Chair of Committee on Audit now. He explained about the economic measures on Kansai Region where the economy is slowing down the most obviously in Japan. At the same time, he emphasized that how to live as a believer was very important for the economic measures.
At the end of the assembly, the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, offered a prayer, and a motto for this year was adopted. The reception followe
Setsubun Kansha-sai was held
On 3 February, Setsubun (they threw beans to bring good fortune and drive away evil) Kansha-sai was held leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated of the Church. After the service and sermon delivered Inori-mame, lucky beans, was given to all the attendants.
The Miyakes Family Service was held
On 4 February, the Miyakes Family Service was held at the Chief Minister's Resident. The family service is the ceremony served at each home shrine in order to express appreciation for Kami-God and spirits of the ancestors.
 the Miyakes Family Service was held at Chief Minister's resident |
At Miyake's home shrine room, pictures of ancestor and the late Rev. Toshio Miyake were hang and perishables were dedicated. About 140 members including the Miyakes, representatives of believer attended and offered sacred twig to the alter.
This ceremony has been served on the Chief Minister's birthday, and some members of Miyake family has served as priests. This year, Ms. Megumi Miyake, the elder daughter of Chief Minister Designated, took the role the first time in her life.
 Chief Minister's 73rd birthday party |
After the ceremony, Senior Chief Minister's 73rd birthday party was held at RIHGA Royal Hotel.
Chief Minister's Birthday Service was held
On 8 February, 73rd Birthday Service of the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, was held at the Church.
At first, the ceremony was served in front of the alter, leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister Designated. Mr. Akira Hirose made a greeting address as a representative of believer, and a bouquet and present were handed to reverend and Mrs. Miyake from Ms. Chizuru Takeda, Ms. Chieko Okamatsu, and Mr. Satoru Tagami.
 Chief Minister received a bouquet |
General Conference of IRFO was held
On 13 February, the general conference of International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) was held at the Congress Hall of the Church. The Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of the Church, has been served as Chair of executives for long time. The Most Ven. Jisho Omori, Chief Abbott of Benten-shu took over the duty of President that the Very Rev. Takao Tsue, Honorary Chief Priest of Imamiya-Ebisu Shrine, has served for 4 years.
Prof. Masaaki Ueda, an authority of ancient history and professor emeritus of Kyoto University, made a lecture to about 60 attendants (mainly religious leaders) titled "Rim-Sea-of-Japan Culture and Religion in East Asia."
 audience listen Prof. Ueda very carefully |