ICAN’s Executive Director Visits Soka Gakkai Headquarters

Representatives of 2017 Nobel Peace Prize-laureate ICAN, Executive Director Beatrice Fihn and International Steering Group member Akira Kawasaki, visited the Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Tokyo on January 17. They were welcomed by Soka Gakkai President Minoru Harada.

SGI Youth Leader Mitsushiro Takeoka presented them with the book Hiroshima and Nagasaki: That We Never Forget, a collection of over 50 testimonies by hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) including that of his own grandmother, published by the Soka Gakkai Youth Division in September 2017.

At the meeting President Harada conveyed his warmest welcome and congratulatory remarks to Fihn on the conferment of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize to ICAN in recognition of its contribution to the adoption of the TPNW. She in return congratulated SGI, saying, “You are also ICAN, so congratulations to you!”

Fihn also said that the circumstances surrounding nuclear weapons had entered a new stage after the adoption of the TPNW. She mentioned two priorities at the moment: securing early entry into force of the TPNW, and engaging countries which do not join the treaty. She stressed the importance of the voices of ordinary citizens around the world who wish for a nuclear-free world being heard. She also pointed out the important role that faith-based organizations can play in influencing how people look at nuclear weapons. Fihn thanked SGI for its collaboration with ICAN based on friendship and expressed her wish that they continue to work together toward their shared goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world. To see a video of the visit click here