News Headlines

On November 20, new leadership appointments were announced during an Africa Executive Conference held at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo. In addition to the appointment of Ida Gbodossou Adjévi as SGI vice general director, key appointments included Atisso Blaise Agbozo as advisor for West Africa, Philemon Banja and Masumi Odari as advisors for East Africa, and Claire Dikongue as advisor for Central Africa. The conference was attended by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada, SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa and SGI Women’s Leader Yumiko Kasanuki.   

On November 18, new leadership appointments were announced at an SGI Representative Leaders Conference held at the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Yoshiki Tanigawa was selected as SGI general director, succeeding Yoshitaka Oba, who was appointed as counselor to the SGI. The following individuals from around the world were also appointed as SGI vice general directors: Shigeo Hasegawa, Hiromasa Ikeda, Danny Nagashima, Hideaki Takahashi, Yumiko Kasanuki, Julio Kosaka, Hiromichi Oyama, Tariq Hasan, Suzanne Pritchard, Ida Gbodossou Adjévi, Sueli Soyano Ogawa, Lydia Salas Díaz, Toshio Kanazawa, Hirotsugu Terasaki and Shinji Shimizu.

Also, on November 15, 69 members around the world were appointed as Official Soka Gakkai Senior Leaders, and 120 as Official Soka Gakkai Associate Senior Leaders. Both roles relate to the conducting of religious ceremonies and the study of Nichiren Buddhism. 

On November 17, the fifth Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the seven-year period leading up to the Soka Gakkai’s centennial in 2030 was held at the Tokyo Toda Memorial Auditorium in Tokyo, Japan. Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada announced the amendment of the Constitution of the Soka Gakkai. He also encouraged participants to engage in dialogue to expand the circle of friendship.  

The meeting was held in conjunction with an SGI General Meeting. Those present included 280 leaders from 75 countries and territories who were visiting Japan for a training course during which they also took part in a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of the passing of President Daisaku Ikeda.

The Soka Gakkai’s theme for 2025 has been announced as the “Year of Soaring Higher toward a Youthful Soka Gakkai Worldwide.”

From November 11 to 21, SGI (Soka Gakkai International) representatives participated in the 29th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. On November 15, the SGI co-organized a panel discussion at the Faith Pavilion on the unique contributions of faith-based organizations.  

On November 16, together with other organizations, the SGI and SGI-UK co-organized a side event titled “What really makes us safe? Peace, climate finance and climate action in an existential time.” Lucy Plummer of the SGI Office for UN Affairs emphasized the need for inner transformation—human revolution—alongside structural change.

On November 20, the UNDP Rome Centre and Soka Gakkai Italy cohosted the event “Global Solidarity for Climate Action.” Stella Bianchi, executive director of the Soka Gakkai Italy campaign “Cambio io, cambia il mondo” (I change, the world changes), stressed the importance of hope and conviction in initiating change.

The SGI also engaged in events focused on youth engagement and biodiversity during COP29.