News Headlines

The latest video in the series Testimonies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Women Speak Out for Peace is now available with subtitles in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese and Spanish. In this video, Keiko Ogura, founder of Hiroshima Interpreters for Peace, tells her story of suffering, trauma and survival, having experienced the atomic bombing in Hiroshima at the age of eight. (Original audio and subtitles in English.)

The series introduces testimonies of hibakusha, atomic bomb survivors, of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Filmed by the Soka Gakkai Women's Peace Committee, the videos can be viewed on the Soka Gakkai Official YouTube channel.

A “Learning Hub for a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Future” has been launched on the “SGI Action for Peace” website to mark 80 years since the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and help drive momentum toward nuclear disarmament and abolition through education and dialogue.

The learning hub introduces testimony videos from Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors and victims of nuclear testing in Kazakhstan, along with related films and books. It also includes questions to facilitate discussion with family, friends or classmates to reflect on the issue of nuclear weapons.   

From July 1 to 3, the Earth Charter +25 Event on “Planetary Consciousness, Ethics of Care, and Intergenerational Justice,” was held in The Hague, the Netherlands, to mark 25 years since the launch of the Earth Charter and reconfirm the importance of its integrated vision of sustainability and peace.

On July 1, Nobuyuki Asai, director for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the SGI (Soka Gakkai International), spoke at the parallel session “Sharing Experiences: Expanding Horizons for Intergenerational Justice.”

On July 2, Joan Anderson, senior coordinator of Peace and Global Issues of the SGI, shared how SGI’s philosophy resonates with the Earth Charter during a panel discussion held at the Peace Palace. The “Seeds of Hope & Action: Making the SDGs a Reality” exhibition, a joint initiative of the Earth Charter International and the SGI, was also on display, and a new virtual reality video released by the Soka Amazon Institute was introduced.

On June 28, a peace event titled “The Power of One: Global Citizens in a World of Turbulent Challenges” was organized by the student division of Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) at its Punggol Soka Centre. The event featured a panel discussion between David Chua, CEO of the National Youth Council Singapore, and Indra Jalal, engagement manager at Reversec, with Ong Hui Min, SGS Student Division vice chief, as moderator. The panelists explored the qualities required of global citizens and the role of youth. Other activities included a showing of the “Seeds of Hope & Action: Making the SDGs a Reality” exhibition, a joint initiative of the Earth Charter International and the SGI (Soka Gakkai International).

The first part of the video series “Real Talk” is now available with subtitles in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. The series features Soka Gakkai youth exploring how Buddhist practice—the chanting of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and recitation of portions of the Lotus Sutra—and concepts like human revolution empower people to transform their lives.

Watch “Real Talk:” How Nichiren Buddhism Changed Our Lives (part 1), How Soka Gakkai Activities Impact Our Lives (part 2), and Nichiren Buddhism and Relationships (part 3).

On June 21, Nepal Soka Gakkai International held women’s general meetings in the capital Kathmandu and also in Butwal, Hetauda and Pokhara. The theme of the meetings was “I will build a culture of peace.” The meeting in Kathmandu featured musical and other performances, faith experiences and poetry readings.  

On June 14 and 15, SGI-Cambodia held a training course for Women’s Division leaders in Siem Reap, the second largest city in Cambodia. The course featured Buddhist study sessions, Q&A sessions and group discussions.