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NOW
August 7, 1997
Andrew Gebert
1. Soka Gakkai International (SGI), promoters of Japanese nationalism....
This statement, for which the author makes no attempt to offer any evidence, is untrue. Neither the Soka Gakkai in Japan nor the SGI, with members in 128 countries, promotes Japanese nationalism. The leaders of the Soka Gakkai opposed Japanese nationalism and its religious arm, state Shinto, during the second world war. As a result, many were jailed and founding president Makiguchi died in jail in November 1944.
2. ...a dozen well-mannered guys in black pants and white shirts with walkie-talkies. Just the kind of security....
These young volunteers, mostly college students, were providing logistical support, arranging cars and buses, such as the one that took the author and other conference participants to the Caledon Centre. They had nothing to do with security. This statement, like others throughout the article, was no doubt a product of the author’s self-confessed “journalistic paranoia.”
3. A full screen of accusations... an alleged rape case, unresolved deaths...
The one source for virtually all of these accusations is a Web page by an individual with a vendetta.
As mentioned in the article, we provided information regarding the facts of the alleged rape case and the Asaki suicide. Rape is a brutal hate crime against women. It is truly unfortunate that one of the first women in Japan to “go public” is doing so with a venal lie.
Regarding the accusation of “unresolved deaths,” to what does this refer? When a Japanese tabloid accused a Soka Gakkai member of having deliberately driven into the car of a Buddhist priest, that member sued, won and was awarded 1.1 million yen in damages. As we informed you, Soka Gakkai is presently suing Shukan Gendai, the tabloid that accused us of involvement in the councilwoman’s death. In this light, it is highly irresponsible and inflammatory to carry references to “unresolved deaths,” an extremely grave charge that we take very, very seriously.
4. (Asaki) jumped to her death under unclear circumstances.
No. The police investigation found that she had committed suicide and no one else was involved.
5. Komeito... was frequently accused of conspiracy to install a religious dictatorship.
This statement bears no relation to reality. Since the Soka Gakkai became involved in electoral politics in the mid-1950s, no Gakkai-endorsed party or candidate has ever introduced, lobbied for or passed legislation that would give the Soka Gakkai or its religious beliefs any form of official support or sanction.
6. It (the Soka Gakkai) has also supported armed peacekeeping operations in complex situations such as Bosnia, which is hardly different from how Japan became involved in # conquest in Korea, Taiwan and Manchuria.
This statement is risible, or would be if its implications and misrepresentation of hi story were not so egregious. It was Japan’s failure to remain engaged, in the multilateral systems of the time that was a contributory factor in its aggression in Asia. Imperialism and peacekeeping operation are the same only to the extent that they both involve soldiers.
Andrew Gebert
Director of Public Information
Soka Gakkai International
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