2002
October
IARF Executives Visited
Izuo Church
On 7 October, Mr. Eimert van Herwijnen as President of International Association
for Religious Freedom (IARF), and Mr. Andrew Clerk, General Secretary
of IARF, paid a visit to Konko Church of Izuo. At first they offered a
Tamagushi (sacred twig) to the altar then met the late Rev. Toshio Miyake,
the Founder of Izuo Church.
 both of them offered a Tamagushi (sacred twig) |
President Helwijnen expressed his appreciation to the most reverend for his serving to IARF as an International Council member for 12 years, and also his expect to Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive Director of Izuo Church, for succeed his efforts as an International Council member.
 Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Mr. Helwijnen, and Mr. Cler) |
They exchanged opinions on international situation and how to protect religious minority as IARF duty, such as cycle of violence between Hindu and Muslim in the west India, Palestine conflict, and suppression of human rights in China or North Korea.
IARF Extra Meeting
On 9 October, members of Japan Liaison Committee (JLC) of International
Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) had a meeting with Mr. E. Helwijnen,
President of the IARF, and Mr. A. Clerk, General Secretary of the IARF,
who were visiting Japan to discuss the strategy of the organization in
Nagoya.
 they discuss passionately |
The meeting gathered and exchange opinions with Japanese religious organization as the main members of IARF, aiming to break the present unfavorable situation of paralyzing management that continued since the World Conference held in Budapest, Hungary in August because of the wrangling on the strategy for activity and personnel affairs.
The attendees at the meeting
were
Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake; Executive Director of Konko Church of Izuo, as
a new International Council member of IARF
Rev. Norio Sakai; the former Chairman of Rissho Kosei-kai, as the former
Treasurer of Finance of IARF
Rev. Takahiro Miwa; Chief Priest of Kiyosu Hiyoshi Shrine, as the Moderator
of JLC
Mr. Yuji Inokuma; International Director of Tsubaki Grand Shrine, as a
member of IARF
Rev. Daijiro Ai; Principal of Ittoen School, as a member of IARF
Prof. Gene Reeves; the former Dean of Meadville Lombard Theological Scholl
in Chicago, as specialist of the Voluntary Cord of Conduct (VCC).
Prof. Michio Araki; the professor of Kokushikan University, as specialist
of VCC
Member of House of Councilors
Visited KCI
On 17 October, Mr. Takashi Yamamoto, a member of House of Councilors selected
from Osaka region, (Democratic Party of Japan) visited Konko Church of
Izuo, explained about the representative election of the party, and express
his decision toward the coming Diet to Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Executive
Director of the Church.
Mr. Yamamoto specializes non-profitable organization (NPO) activities such as establishment of Ashinaga Scholarship Society, an educational fund for children who lost parents by traffic accident. He is expected further activities as he submits a lot of draft law to the Diet although he is a member of opposition party. He also pays attention to NGO activities of Izuo Church.
IRFO Ordinary Meeting
On 18 October, International Religious Fellowship of Osaka (IRFO) held
the 3rd Ordinary Meeting of this year at International Conference Room
in Konko Church of Izuo with approx. 50 attendees from various religious
organizations.
 board meeting prior to the ordinary meetingy |
They invited Mr. Hajime Seki, the former Chairman of Defense Technology Foundation and the former Councilor of Security Council of the Japanese Government, as a lecturer and learned about Security issues including tense circumstance situation such as abduction or nuclear development in North Korea from the specialist.
 Mr. Seki delivering a lecture |
The theme was socially interested so highly because of coming back of 5 Japanese victims of North Korean abduction. They had a common understanding that "national emergency" means not only the war or near-war situation between sovereign nations but they have to consider how to protect the life and asset of each citizen.
 Rev. Tatsuo Miyake gave an address |
On the other hand, at the discussion part moderated by Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, an Executive of IRFO, the opinion was divided deeply between attending religious leaders as well as between the lecturer from Defense Agency and religious leaders on how to accommodate the issues of the religious absolute peace and political peace (peace = non-war situation). The discussion was very fruitful.
Autumn Grand Service
On 25 October, Konko Church of Izuo held Autumn Grand Service and approx.
1,200 believers gathered from around the country.
 Rev. Tatsuo Miyake offered a prayer |
At 14:00, more than 20 ceremony staffs came up to the traditional Shinto music. Following the purifying ceremony, all the congregations chanted the prayer and Rev. Mitsuo Miyake, Chief Minister's Designated, as deputy ceremony master opened the huge door of the altar in the solemn atmosphere that is one of the largest Shinto-style constructs. Then various perishables as well as traditional offering rice cake and sacred sake were offered to the altar.
 Rev. Tatsuo Miyake delivered a sermon |
Then the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake, Senior Chief Minister, came up to the altar as the Chief Priest, to offer a prayer, express appreciation for Konko Daijin, the Founder of Konko Church, and announce and appreciate completion of the 75th Anniversary in January and 3rd memorial ceremony for the late Rev. Toshio Miyake in September. At the end of the service, Chief Priest and the representative of believers offered a Tamagushi (sacred twig) to the altar. Then the Most Rev. Tatsuo Miyake delivered a sermon to the congregations.
JLC Field Work in Okinawa
From 28 to 30 October, Japan Liaison Conference (JLC) of International
Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), one of NGOs authorized by the
UN Economic and Social Council to eliminate ethnical discrimination and
repression to religious minorities, held a field work to learn the tradition
of religion and custom in Okinawa Islands. They stayed Taketomi Island
that locates the southwest edge of Japan archipelago. Rev. Yoshinobu Miayke
as International Council member of IARF took part in to take the leading
role.
 Rev. Y Miyake studied turtle shell shaped tomb |
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