■ April 2002

Pilgrimage the Konko Headquarters
On 4 April, believers of Konko Church of Izuo visited the Konko Headquarters where the religion started in 1859 at Konko-town, Okayama Prefecture. They chartered train from Osaka.

Rev. Mitsuo Miyake offered a sacred twig

First, they held a service leaded by Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated, in front of the tomb for Izuo Church. Then they attended the Spring Grand Service held at the worshiping hall leaded by the Patriarch Heiki Konko-sama V.
Before leaving for Osaka, they paid a visit to the mausoleum of Konko Daijin who is the Founder of Konko Church on Mt. Yuuzaki.

they offered a prayer in front of the mausoleum

Attended Funeral for the RKK Supervisor
On 12 April, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, attended private funeral for the late Rev. Motoyuki Naganuma, Supervisor of Rissho Kosei-kai, on behalf of the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister of Izuo Church. The late Rev. Naganuma had contributed greatly as Chiarman of Rissho Kosei-kai supporting Founder, the late Rev. Nikkyo Niwano from his age of 28 to 70, since the organization's first stage. He had good relationship with Izuo Church through the interfaith dialogue and peace activities, and had visited Izuo Church many times.

Mr. Nakano's 25th Anniversary Ceremony
On 12 April, Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, took part in Mr. Kansei Nakano's (Vice President of Democratic Party) ceremony to commemorate the 25th year since he became a member of the House. He is elected from Osaka Prefecture and has a deep relationship with Izuo Church that he attended all the service and ceremony related the 75th Anniversary Grand Service.

Rev. Y. Miyake and Mr. Yukio Hatoyama

Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake exchanged opinion on issues home and abroad with his acquaintance, Dr Yukio Hatoyama, President of Democratic Party.

Met President of Japan Rescue Association
On 18 April, Mr. Naotaka Ohyama, President of Japan Rescue Association, visited Konko Church of Izuo and had a meeting with Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake.

Rev. Miyake meeting with Mr. Ohyama

Japan Rescue Association is an NGO that contributes internationally by dispatch of rescue dogs to disaster area. It was established by civil who were impressed by rescue dogs sent from foreign countries at the occasion of Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake, and was highly admired for its activities in Turk and Taiwan. Mr. Ohyama informed that Japan Rescue Association was approved as NPO(Non Profitable Organization) by the Government of Japan.

Japan Rescue Association is paid great attention because of its action that saves dogs impounded in a health care center to give them a new life as a therapy dog after training. It was decided that Mr. Ohyama would deliver a lecture at 75th commemorative Youth Conference of Izuo Church on 23 June.

Inaugural Ceremony of the Third Patriarch of Nempo Shin-kyo
On 24 April, Mrs. Sugako Miyake, wife of the Senior Chief Minister of Konko Church of Izuo, and Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director, attended the inaugural ceremony of the third Patriarch of Nempo Shin-kyo held at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka.

Rev. Miyake with Rev. Kurozumi and Rev. Deguchi

Mrs. Miyake as the President of Religious Women Association of Osaka and approx. 350 religious leaders took part in the ceremony to cerebrate the Most Ven. Reihou Inayama as the third Patriarch. The Most Ven. Eshin Watanabe, Patriach of Tendai Buddhism, the Most Ven. Yugen Wada, Patriarch of Shingon Buddhism, Most Rev. Muneharu Kurozumi, Patriarch of Kurozumi-kyo Shinto, and the Most Rev. Kurenai Deguchi, Spiritual Leader of Oomoto Shinto were among the attendees.