South Asia-Korea-West Japan Joint Youth Training Course: Youth from Six Countries Gather at the SGI ACEC, Opening a New Era of Peace Exchange

On 31 January, under warm sunshine, the SGI Asia Culture and Education Centre (SGI ACEC) – addressed by President Ikeda as the “Castle of Happiness” and the “Castle of Victory” – was filled with radiant smiles. A total of 133 youths from six countries – West Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia – gathered in a triumphant spirit for a joint youth training course, commemorating the 65th anniversary of President Ikeda’s first visit to Asia. SGI General Director Yoshiki Tanigawa and deputy chief Shinji Ushioda were present to offer guidance. The youth united in their pledge to serve as pioneers of kosen-rufu in their respective countries, determined to realise their mentor’s vision of the second series of Seven Bells.

Second Soka Gakkai president Josei Toda, who earnestly desired peace and kosen-rufu in Asia, once composed a waka poem: “To the people of Asia / who pray for a glimpse of the moon / through the parting clouds, / let us send them, instead, / the light of the sun.” The poem conveys the longing of the peoples of Asia to glimpse the moonlight of happiness through the clouds, and Mr Toda’s resolve to illuminate this vast continent with the radiant light of the sun, far brighter than moonlight.

Responding to Mr Toda’s expectations, President Ikeda expressed his determination for kosen-rufu throughout Asia and embarked on his journey for Asian kosen-rufu in 1961, visiting India on 31 January and Thailand on 9 February. Following his final guidance tour to Asia – South Korea in 1999, and Singapore and Malaysia in November and December 2000 – President Ikeda returned to Kansai in West Japan. There, at a Headquarters leaders meeting marking a fresh departure for the 21st century, he announced a renewed vision of the Seven Bells: “From next year, 2001, we will begin the second series of Seven Bells, aiming towards the year 2050!” 

At the opening ceremony on the first day of the training course, following a dance performance symbolising harmony in diversity, representatives from the six countries vowed to realise the Second Seven Bells vision – laying the foundations for world peace, starting from Asia, in the first half of the 21st century.

SGM General Director Koh Sia Feai delivered the opening address, expressing his expectations that the youth would shoulder the mission of advancing kosen-rufu in Asia and the world, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of Mr Toda and President Ikeda. Meanwhile, Soka Gakkai young men’s division vice-leader Kazuo Toyosawa called on all participants to advance resolutely on the front lines of kosen-rufu, with the determination that “I will realise worldwide kosen-rufu.”

Youth representatives Teh Ei Lin from Malaysia, Jefferson Han Shengzhou from Singapore and Toshihiro Kondo from West Japan shared inspiring experiences of creating value amid adversity. Their stories included overcoming emotional setbacks, balancing work and studies while caring for parents with cancer, facing work situations that differed greatly from expectations, and enduring the trials of infertility.

Reports on Kosen-rufu Activities Across Countries

During the training course, representatives from each country shared encouraging reports on the progress of kosen-rufu.

Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG) in India organised new friends gatherings that created opportunities for one-to-one encouragement, leading to over 6,000 people joining the organisation within three months. The young women’s division set a goal of fostering five active members in each district, eventually gathering 5,000 participants at a commemorative meeting. The young men’s division also rallied 5,000 participants. BSG is advancing towards the goal of building a one-million-strong membership by 2030.

Soka Gakkai Thailand (SGT) launched its “100,000 Shakubuku Campaign” in 2022, completing Buddhist dialogues with nearly 160,000 people the following year. Its “30,000 Home Visit Campaign,” which began on 16 March 2023, achieved over 30,000 encouragement visits by the same date the following year. In addition, through broadcast programmes sharing President Ikeda’s philosophy and initiatives promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, SGT continues to bring hope to society.

The youth division of Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS) launched a podcast series last year showcasing young people overcoming challenges. Their “Friday with You” event attracted nearly 1,000 youth participants, including 300 new friends, while two concerts staged by SGS arts and culture groups welcomed over 600 new friends, strengthening bonds of trust within the community.

In Malaysia, SGM strengthened members’ foundations of faith and deepened the mentor-disciple spirit through training courses across divisions and groups. Run for Peace attracted nearly 80,000 participants, while the Youth Peace Culture Festival drew over 30,000, generating powerful waves of peace and becoming major breakthroughs for shakubuku.

Korea SGI (KSGI) set a goal beginning in 2023 and running to 2025: to foster one newly joined youth member in every block. By 2024, over 10,000 youths had joined the organisation, and by June 2025, the goal had been achieved, fostering more than 10,000 youths who began practising faith. Building on this victory, a “Three-year Gratitude Campaign” running until 2028 – marking President Ikeda’s centennial birth anniversary – has begun, constructing a strong castle of youth.

Representatives from West Japan – Kyushu, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku, Okinawa and Kansai – shared via video the golden history engraved by President Ikeda in each region. A young women’s division representative reported significant growth in both new and active members through regular gatherings and extensive home visits, while a young men’s division representative shared their determination to advance the “One Million Seeds” initiative, further spreading the joy of faith.

As they shared their struggles and victories in advancing kosen-rufu, participants responded with warm applause of shared joy.

A study session led by SGI young women’s division leader Miyuki Horiguchi focused on the “Vow” chapter of The New Human Revolution, volume 30. She spoke on Shin’ichi Yamamoto’s final guidance in Asia, reaffirming the mission of kosen-rufu in Asia and the significance of striving as true disciples of President Ikeda. Reflecting on President Ikeda’s “Seven Bells” vision – a time-based plan to foster youth – she called on participants to deepen their bonds, unite for peace in Asia, and together open a new chapter of kosen-rufu in Asia and worldwide.

As the song “This Is My Name” filled the air, youth participants from the six Asian countries stood together, their eyes shining with the passion to advance kosen-rufu, ushering in a powerful new wave of peace.

COSMIC NEWS will continue to report on the second day of the training course and other highlights. Stay tuned.

Click to view the highlights video on Facebook and Instagram. 

Reported by Ting Cheau Ya, photographed by Jeffery Lum, Lum Heng