“South Asia ✕ Kansai Youth Online Exchange Meeting” – Over 2,000 Youth Gather at Nine Venues for Online Exchanges with Kansai Youth

The “South Asia ✕ Kansai Youth Online Exchange Meeting” was held with great enthusiasm on 12 October, bringing together youths from Malaysia and Japan’s Kansai region through online exchanges.

In total, 2,302 Malaysian youths joined this event. The meeting venues and total participants are as follows:

*General Prefecture is an organisational unit within the Soka Gakkai in Japan.

Stirring Youth Experiences Expressing an Unyielding Vow

During the experience sharing session, SGM young women’s division member Chew Audrey, who majored in illustration and fine arts, shared her personal journey of growth from confusion to conviction. 

Meanwhile, zone young men’s division leader Seiki Ono from Toyonaka General Prefecture shared how he transformed from someone who failed in his studies and was a rebel into a person challenging himself to complete 10 million daimoku and the shakubuku of eight households. 

Next, the SGM representative stated that this exchange marks the starting point of a new era of kosen-rufu, calling on youth to deepen friendships and learn from one another in the spirit of global citizenship.

The Kansai representatives then emphasised that Kansai youth, guided by their mentor’s spirit, are continuing to pursue the vow for world peace through dialogue and action, while expressing their hope to work hand-in-hand with South Asian youth towards 2030 and 2050. They also introduced their local organisation’s encounter and prime point with President Ikeda, upholding the guidance given by the mentor and passing it down to future generations. 

Finally, youths from both countries joined together in singing “Youth with a Noble Vow,” bringing the meeting to a powerful close with spirited voices that symbolised the cross-border bonds of faith and friendship.

This “South Asia ✕ Kansai Youth Online Exchange Meeting” was held as part of an international exchange initiative decided upon during the “South Asia-Kansai Youth Executive Conference” held in Japan in November 2024. South Asian representatives also expressed their hopes to further strengthen the ties between Kansai and South Asian countries through future exchange efforts, and to spark a new wave of kosen-rufu.

Question-and-Answer Session

The highlight of the exchange was the Q&A session, featuring a total of four questions – two from each country.

In the SGM Culture Centre afternoon session, Kansai Soka High School student Yusuke Yaman asked about the growth experienced by SISM students through campus life. SISM student Gan Jing Yi then responded that living in a dormitory taught her how to communicate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, overcome differences, and foster understanding and tolerance.

In the Selangor Culture Centre, Toyonaka General Prefecture student division chief Taniguchi Hideki asked how SGM promotes Soka ideals within a multi-religious society. Selangor YMD member Pang Chun Hong shared that SGM builds bridges of trust through education and peace activities, fostering empathy and understanding through sincere dialogue.

In the Pahang Culture Centre, a Pahang high school division member Lim Wen Yao asked how to balance studies with faith. Kyoto North General Prefecture YMD secretary Fukuhata Shinji responded that when one prays with the spirit that “studying is also a mission for kosen-rufu”, wisdom and strength naturally emerge from challenges.

In the Penang Culture Centre, Penang YMD member Jovan Tan raised a question on artificial intelligence, asking why people still need religion in the age of AI. In response, Wakayama General Prefecture YMD member Yagyu Reiji said that while AI can provide methods, it cannot offer direction in life, that only faith and dialogue between people can bring genuine hope and the strength to move forward.

In the Sarawak Culture Centre, a Sarawak high school division member Bong Hui Xuen asked what is the deepest impression or encouragement given by President Ikeda. North Osaka General Prefecture Ikeda Kayokai member Shimonishi Haruko replied, “The flower of the disciple’s victory that blooms will surely return to the earth and become the merit of the mentor and disciple.” She said she realised that the disciple’s victory is the mentor’s victory, and vowed to repay her mentor’s compassion through daily challenges and personal growth.

Other Highlights

After ending the online exchange meeting with Kansai youth, each venue continued to carry out part two activities, such as playing Japanese traditional games, quizzes on Japan, small group discussion and sharing impressions.

In the Sarawak Culture Centre, Sarawak YMD member Ivan Seo shared his experience about overcoming bad habits through faith and how Buddhism taught him the profound dignity of life.

Overall, this global exchange not only strengthened the bonds between the youths of South Asia and Kansai, but also ignited a renewed sense of mission for kosen‑rufu among the Malaysian youth. Moved by the indomitable “Never Be Defeated” spirit of the Kansai youth, they renewed their determination to uphold the oneness of mentor and disciple, transform faith into action, and share the light of Buddhism with many more people—resolving to become beacons of peace who will illuminate the future of humanity.

Jointly reported by Chee Yee Von, Fung Jin Yee, Lai Wai Khung, Leang Hui Si, Leu Bae Huey, Lim Bee Chiu, Sim Dong Liang, Tham Ashlynn and Toh Eng Kiat